Extreme Weather in Barcelona Disrupts Flights, Stranding Israeli Travelers

Severe weather conditions in Barcelona caused widespread flight disruptions, including cancellations and delays for flights bound for Tel Aviv and other destinations. Thousands of international travelers, among them Israelis planning to return home, faced altered schedules. One affected flight was a Bluebird Airways flight from Barcelona to Tel Aviv, originally scheduled to depart Tuesday evening. Passengers boarded the aircraft, but after a lengthy wait, they were deplaned and returned to the terminal. "The takeoff was supposed to be at 20:15, but we actually boarded the plane only at 22:20," said Ari, a passenger. He recounted that after boarding, passengers waited nearly four more hours on the plane before being informed around 2:00 AM that they had to disembark. The crew cited stormy weather as the cause for the delay, while also indicating their work hours had concluded. Passengers finally retrieved their luggage around 4:00 AM. "There was someone from the company who said she couldn't get us hotel rooms, and everyone had to fend for themselves. We didn't even get a voucher for water or food," Ari stated. "Once we left the airport, every passenger took care of themselves," he added. "Some waited until morning hours to get a room, everyone is scattered around the city. Our return flight is scheduled for today at 23:55, more than 24 hours after the original time." The airline acknowledged the delay, attributing it to weather that impacted takeoff and the crew's schedule. They also stated that passengers would be compensated upon their return to Israel.