Following yesterday’s power outage in Spain, travel disruptions continue today as travelers across the Iberian Peninsula face unprecedented delays and cancellations.
As the country recovers from its worst power outage in history, transportation systems are slowly getting back to normal, but not without continued challenges and setbacks affecting thousands of passengers nationwide.
Iberia Offers Flexible Rebooking Amid Ongoing Disruptions
Iberia is continuing to offer customers the flexibility to reschedule their Tuesday flights for another day, even though the airline does not anticipate any cancellations except for a few flights potentially impacted by the ongoing strike in Brussels.
The airline has acknowledged minor delays linked to Monday’s widespread power outage, which disrupted much of Spain and Portugal.
Despite the blackout, Spanish airports remained fully operational thanks to emergency power systems. As a result, Iberia was only forced to cancel 26 out of its 247 scheduled flights—none of which were long-haul. According to the Ministry of Transport, overall air traffic across Spain operated at 93% capacity.
In light of lingering issues, including limited public transport access to airports, Iberia is once again allowing all passengers with Tuesday flights the option to change their travel date at no additional cost.
Renfe Train Services: Gradual Restoration Amidst Challenges
The massive blackout that struck Spain on April 28, 2025, paralyzed Renfe’s entire network, from the flagship AVE high-speed trains to commuter and long-distance services. Early reports confirmed that all services were impacted, leaving travelers stranded across major hubs like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Medium- and long-distance trains were either canceled or severely delayed, with critical routes to Galicia, Cádiz, Badajoz, Salamanca, and Alicante suspended until further notice.
Although Renfe has worked swiftly to recover operations, a complete return to normal remains elusive. Some services, like Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Valencia, and Madrid-Seville, have resumed, but only after hours of delays and limited seat availability. Commuter trains (Cercanías) in cities such as Málaga and Zaragoza are still not running at full capacity. Meanwhile, in Andalusia, Avant and Media Distancia services remain heavily affected, and Extremadura’s Alvia and Medium Distance trains have not yet restarted.
Passengers were advised to check Renfe’s website or social media channels before heading to stations. To ease frustrations, Renfe is allowing full ticket refunds or free changes, and for those still willing to travel, there is the possibility of being accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on seat availability.
Madrid Metro and Urban Transport: Partial Resumptions
Spain’s capital city also experienced widespread disruptions. The Madrid Metro initially came to a complete halt, forcing commuters and travelers to seek alternative transportation. By the morning of April 29, most metro lines had resumed service, but Line 7A, which connects Pitis and Estadio Metropolitano, remains shut down.
To support stranded passengers, the Madrid Municipal Transport Company (EMT) expanded its bus services across the city, offering free rides during the disruption. This measure has been critical in easing congestion, particularly during peak hours when frustrated commuters flooded alternative travel options. Although the metro’s overall network is now operational, service frequency remains irregular on some lines, and travelers are encouraged to plan for potential delays.
The Cercanías commuter rail system in Madrid, crucial for daily life in the sprawling metropolitan area, is operating at around 50% capacity. Sections like Pinto-Aranjuez and Guadalajara-Alcalá de Henares are still suspended. On the C5 line, travel between Humanes and Atocha is now available in both directions, providing a partial relief for southern Madrid residents.
Renfe and Metro Madrid continue to advise travelers to consult real-time updates through apps, websites, or station announcements before setting out. Flexibility remains essential in the coming days, as full operational stability is still being restored.
Port Operations and Coastal Travel: Returning to Normalcy
The Spain blackout travel disruption also hit the nation’s vital port operations. According to Puertos del Estado and Transport Minister Óscar Puente, while no “particularly serious” incidents occurred, significant interruptions were felt in Algeciras, Valencia, Barcelona, and Vigo. Critical systems managing docking, customs administration, and navigational aids like lighthouses and beacons were temporarily knocked offline.
Ports like Valencia and Bilbao restored power later in the evening, though they are now facing traffic backlogs due to halted container loading and unloading operations. In Barcelona, the blackout paralyzed container terminals, but activities have resumed as of the latest updates. In Vigo, the car and fish terminals were significantly impacted, but operations began to normalize by the following morning, with the expectation that full market activity would resume within the next 24 hours.
Other coastal hubs like the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla reported minimal disruption. However, due to cascading logistical delays, travelers relying on ferry services or goods shipment might still encounter minor service interruptions throughout the week. Truck queues at major terminals have gradually cleared, though port authorities advise ongoing caution until normal processing speeds are guaranteed.
Travel Advisory: Staying Informed and Navigating the Aftermath
For travelers in or heading to Spain in the next few days, staying informed is critical. Real-time information is available on Renfe’s official website, where travelers can use the “My Trips” section to verify the status of booked trains. Madrid Metro and EMT also provide real-time updates via their respective apps and social media channels.
Travelers who booked with private train operators like Iryo or Ouigo should consult their platforms directly. Iryo has confirmed that its Valencia and Barcelona routes are now back to normal, while Ouigo passengers are encouraged to use the “My Reservations” section to check trip statuses. Customer service lines are operational for urgent assistance across all networks.
Passengers whose journeys were disrupted by the blackout can request free ticket changes or full refunds. Renfe has set up fast-track processes across ticket counters, apps, and online channels to accommodate refund and change requests. Additionally, for those choosing to continue their journeys, Renfe advises arriving at stations early and being prepared for flexible seat assignments based on availability.
Spain’s tourism industry is also closely monitoring the situation. With the May 1st holiday approaching, many travelers had planned early departures for long weekends, and the blackout has thrown thousands of plans into chaos. Hotels, rental car agencies, and travel operators have responded by offering greater flexibility in booking changes, encouraging visitors not to cancel outright but to reschedule trips where possible.
As Spain’s infrastructure recovery efforts continue, officials emphasize the importance of patience and understanding. The scale of the blackout has been described as “unprecedented,” revealing vulnerabilities in interconnected transport systems that typically operate seamlessly. Long-term upgrades to power grid stability and emergency management systems are now expected to be fast-tracked following this incident.
While transportation disruptions are gradually resolving, travelers are advised to anticipate occasional last-minute changes, maintain flexible itineraries, and keep a close eye on official channels for the latest developments. Spain’s vibrant cities, cultural festivals, and coastal escapes remain open and welcoming, albeit with a bit more unpredictability than usual in the immediate aftermath of the historic blackout.
