17 flights canceled at El Prat Airport due to Heathrow closure
The Spanish airline association warns that no financial compensation will be paid for suspended flights.
BarcelonaThe closure of London's Heathrow Airport due toa power outage caused by a fire, has forced the cancellation of 17 flights originating or arriving at El Prat airport, as reported this Friday by Aena on its account on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Of the 17 flights suspended at Barcelona airport, eight were arrivals from Heathrow and nine were departures. In addition, according to Aena, another 19 flights have also been canceled at Barajas Airport: two in Valencia, two in Malaga, and two in Tenerife South. In total, 59 operations were scheduled to Heathrow at Spanish airports this Friday, but all were canceled at 5 p.m. except for two flights to Barcelona.
According to Aena, El Prat Airport received a diverted flight from Cape Town, South Africa, bound for London. Six other flights have also been diverted, this time to Barajas.
According to the Flightradar24 portal, Heathrow had 1,350 operations scheduled, including takeoffs and landings, this Friday, but all flights have been canceled. Airport authorities recommend checking flight status.
No financial compensation
In statements reported by Reuters, the president of the Spanish Airlines Association (ALA), Javier Gandara, stated that, as this is a force majeure event beyond the airlines' control, passengers affected by the cancellations will not be entitled to claim financial compensation from the airlines. However, he noted that airlines are obligated to provide food and, if necessary, accommodation to customers whose flights are cancelled.
