'Do not travel' warning issued in Spain as water pours into major airport

'Do not travel' warning issued as water pours into terminal at major airport. (Image: Getty)

Local authorities have issued a red warning for Barcelona, with water seen pouring into a terminal at a major airport.

Barcelona has become the latest Spanish city to suffer from catastrophic rainfall and floods. 

And, the downpour has now caused major disruptions at Barcelona El Prat airport, where water has been seen pouring through the terminal ceiling and flooding the runway. 

Videos shared on social media captured the dramatic scenes showing water gushing into the terminal.

The flooding, which began early this morning, has already resulted in multiple cancelled flights and diversions to other airports.

Passengers have been advised to check their flight status, as most upcoming departures are either cancelled or delayed by at least an hour. Arrivals have also been heavily impacted.

Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, has described the situation as posing “extreme danger due to torrential rain” and issued a clear warning.

They said: “Do not travel unless strictly necessary.” The agency added that conditions could worsen as the day progresses, and more rainfall is expected throughout the region.

Barcelona’s airport operator, Aena, said a crisis committee has been put in place to manage the disruption. 

“We have activated a crisis team to manage the impacts of the rain,” a spokesperson for Aena said. 

The airport is working to clear water from the terminal and runways, but the scale of the flooding is making this difficult.

Travel around the airport has also been affected, with reports of flooding on roads and disruptions to public transport services. 

High-speed trains between Barcelona and Tarragona have been suspended, impacting services by Renfe, Ouigo, and Iryo. 

The downpour has now caused major disruptions at Barcelona El Prat airport. (Image: Getty)

Other local services have also been halted, causing significant travel delays for commuters.

Vueling, the primary airline operating at El Prat, announced that it has opened more check-in counters to help affected passengers. 

“We are doing everything possible to assist passengers and minimise inconvenience,” a Vueling spokesperson said.

Travellers are urged to contact their airlines for updates and review travel insurance policies for potential compensation. 

While some airlines may offer refunds or alternative flights, conditions can vary based on the policy and provider.

Authorities stress that those planning to travel should remain informed and take safety precautions as the situation develops.