Safety First: Severe Mediterranean Storms Force Flight Restrictions in Palma
Saturday, May 9th, 2026
Travellers at Palma de Mallorca Airport are facing a frustrating day as a combination of severe storms across the Mediterranean and the lingering aftermath of an incident last night cause delays.
Severe Storm Cells Force Diversions
According to the latest updates from air traffic controllers (Controladores Aéreos) and the Spanish aviation authority Enaire, intense thunderstorm cores are currently moving across the Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands. To ensure maximum safety, pilots are requesting course corrections to give these dangerous weather zones a wide berth.
When a flight path leads directly through a storm system, it poses significant risks due to extreme turbulence, lightning strikes, and hail. To keep passengers safe, aircraft must steer well clear of these storm cells. This inevitably shrinks the available airspace, meaning fewer flights can be handled simultaneously. The result is a knock-on effect of “ground delays,” where many aircraft are held at their departure gates until a safe slot becomes available in the sky.
A Turbulent Friday Night: Air Europa Jet Loses Wheel
Today’s disruption is being compounded by a serious incident that occurred yesterday evening. An Air Europa aircraft lost a wheel upon landing, forcing the temporary closure of Palma’s North runway. This caused significant tailbacks last night, resulting in five inbound flights being diverted to alternative airports.
Essential Information for Passengers
If you are scheduled to fly to or from Palma today, we strongly advise you to check the status of your flight regularly. Please contact your airline directly or consult their official app for the latest updates before you set off for the airport.
