Cancelled flights, gridlocked cities and holiday plans up in the air. Travel advice from the experts on what to do if a power outage happens again.
Life is starting to return to normal again in Spain and Portugal after this week’s power outage which left millions of people without power. Holidaymakers found themselves stranded with hundreds of flights cancelled, cities gridlocked and hotels in darkness.
Investigations are ongoing to find the cause of the outage and the Foreign Office still has warnings in place about potential travel disruption to the Iberian peninsula.
Those due to travel imminently are being advised to check with their tour operator or airline for more information.
But until the cause is determined, some travellers may be concerned it might happen again. So what is the best advice on what to do if you if you are affected?
Director of Travel Insurance at Saga Michelle Cooper had this advice on what to do if your flight is cancelled or delayed due to power outages.
“If your flight was cancelled, your airline or tour operator should be your first port of call.
"Depending on how you paid, you may also need to speak with your credit or debit card provider as they offer protection for purchases between £100 and £30,000.
“If your flight is delayed, most insurance policies will also offer a delayed departure cover, so it’s also worth checking your insurance policy.”
For more information on how travel insurance can help when your flight’s disrupted see our expert guide.
If a cancelled journey leaves you stranded abroad check your travel insurance as many allow you to claim for accommodation, meals and transport.
Cooper said: "If you were unable to return home as planned because of the power outage, many travel insurance policies can cover reasonable additional costs, such as extra accommodation, meals and transport.
"It's important to check your specific policy wording, but generally, if the delay or cancellation is outside your control, you may be able to make a claim.
“We recommend contacting your insurer as soon as possible to discuss your situation and the best next steps."
If you are on a package tour then speak to your rep or contact your company’s support telephone number.
For Saga Holidays the emergency contact number is 01293 363214 and for Saga Cruise the emergency number is 01303 771999.
If you are travelling independently and you find yourself in emergency circumstances the Foreign Office emergency number is 02070085000.
The Foreign Office issues constantly updated guidance for travel abroad. You can search this alphabetical list for the country you are travelling to.
The situation in Spain and Portugal is returning to normal so it is unlikely that any holiday planned for the coming weeks will be affected. Contact your tour operator or airline if you have any concerns.
If you haven’t yet got travel insurance then organise it as soon as possible to ensure you are covered.
Saga offers escorted tours throughout Europe and as far afield as South Africa, Japan, Canada and Australia, plus hotel stays in popular European hotspots including Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Greece.
Buy your new Saga Travel Insurance policy by the end of 30 September 2026 and get 20% off the total cost. T&Cs apply.
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