Spain Airport Closes After Runway is Struck by Lightning
After hours of severe rain, lightning, and significant flooding hit the runway at Valencia airport in eastern Spain on Saturday, ground operations were suspended, according to airport officials.
High gusts and heavy rain from the storm, which started late on Friday, pummeled the eastern coastal region early on Saturday.
The runway at Valencia Airport is no longer in use due to a lightning strike. The airport operator in Spain, AENA, announced on Twitter that repairs would begin as quickly as possible.
Enaire, Spain’s air traffic control agency, reported that the storm has grounded all flights into and out of the airport.
The Valencia airport tweeted, “Heavy thunderstorms over Valencia have prompted the suspension of all takeoffs and landings.”
At least nine incoming planes were diverted to alternate airports in Alicante, Barcelona, Ibiza, and Madrid, according to information provided by Valencia airport.
When the runway became flooded, flights were first suspended, according to what the local emergency services reported on Twitter, citing airport officials.
The runway at Valencia Airport had to be closed as a result of water buildup, the airport’s operations center reported.
Video from Valencia Airport that was shared on Twitter shows hailstones striking a jet and swiftly flowing floodwaters washing over the hood of a parked automobile.
The airport was not anticipated to reopen until 5:00 pm, according to air traffic authorities (1600 GMT).
According to the Valencian government and state railway operator ADIF, the storm also caused delays on a number of commuter lines in the Valencia region.
AFP
