Storm Charles forces hundreds of flight cancellations across Portugal

More than 300 flights were cancelled across Portugal on Wednesday (11 November) as Storm Charles brought heavy rain and strong winds, disrupting air travel and prompting widespread emergency measures.

Flights at Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and Madeira airports were affected, while authorities closed schools and non-essential public services and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Portugal’s government placed emergency services and military units on alert ahead of the storm, amid concerns about flash flooding, damaging winds, and dangerous coastal conditions.

The country’s Civil Protection Authority reported 538 weather-related incidents by midday on Wednesday, including flooding and fallen trees.

Although Storm Charles weakened as it approached mainland Portugal, authorities maintained warnings as heavy rainfall affected the Lisbon region and southern Algarve.

The disruption followed several days of severe weather associated with Storm Bruna, which had already caused flooding across parts of Portugal and Spain.

In neighbouring Spain, more than 3,000 residents of Piedralaves, in Ávila province, remained evacuated over concerns that heavy rainfall could cause a local dam to overflow.

Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, also warned of potentially severe impacts from further rainfall, strong winds, and rough seas.

TAP Air Portugal introduced flexible rebooking arrangements for eligible passengers affected by the weather, allowing flights scheduled up to 11 November to be moved to dates up to 17 November without a change penalty.

Portugal’s airport operator advised passengers to confirm flight status directly with their airlines before travelling to the airport.

The events also highlight the importance of distinguishing between airline rebooking obligations and travel insurance benefits, with cover for additional accommodation, transport, or missed connections dependent on individual policy terms and circumstances.

In a recent Industry Voice article, Aon Affinity Travel Practice explored how named storms can affect cancellation and interruption benefits, including the importance of purchasing cover before a storm becomes a known event.