Storm Charles cancels 242 flights at Lisbon, Faro, and Madeira airports

Disruption overview

Severe weather from Storm Charles has forced 208 flight cancellations at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, 14 at Faro’s Gago Coutinho Airport, and 20 at Madeira Airport on 11 November 2026. Madeira hadn't received any landings by 11:05 am, with an easyJet flight from London waiting to arrive and strong winds continuing around Santa Cruz. ANA has advised passengers to contact their airlines before heading to the airport, while TAP Air Portugal is allowing affected travelers to move their bookings without a penalty to flights up to 17 November. Weather-related compensation is unlikely, but passengers still have rights to refunds, rebooking, and appropriate care.

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Disruption details

Storm Charles has caused 242 flight cancellations across Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, Faro’s Gago Coutinho Airport, and Madeira Airport on 11 November 2026. Strong winds and severe weather have disrupted arrivals and departures, with no aircraft having landed at Madeira by 11:05 am.

For passengers, this has meant canceled journeys and waiting to find out whether their flights can operate. If you’re due to travel through any of the affected airports, airport operator ANA has advised checking with your airline before leaving for the airport.

Lisbon has accounted for most of the cancellations. By 9:20 am mainland Portugal time, Lisbon and Faro had recorded 222 cancellations between them. Madeira had separately confirmed 20 cancellations, while dozens of other flights were still awaiting a confirmed status.

The cancellations were spread across the 3 airports:

• Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon recorded 208 cancellations, including 108 departures and 100 arrivals.

• Gago Coutinho Airport in Faro recorded 14 cancellations.

• Madeira Airport confirmed 20 cancellations, with no landings or takeoffs by 11:05 am.

At Madeira, an easyJet service from London was the first incoming flight waiting to land. No aircraft had yet arrived, and departures hadn't begun either.

Conditions on the island had improved after earlier heavy rain, but strong winds persisted, particularly around Santa Cruz. That left Madeira’s flight operations disrupted even as the rain eased.

On mainland Portugal, the weather alert covers the day. Lisbon, Leiria, Setúbal, Beja, and Faro were expected to be the hardest-hit regions. The government closed schools and non-essential public services across all districts, while authorities warned that worsening conditions could lead to bridge closures and restrictions on air traffic.

ANA warned on 10 November that the forecast was likely to limit operations at Lisbon, Faro, and Madeira. Its advice to contact airlines before traveling applies to passengers departing on 11 November.

TAP Air Portugal, which accounted for a significant share of the cancellations, also announced changes to its operations ahead of the storm. Passengers booked to travel on 11 November can change their tickets without a penalty to flights up to 17 November.

If your TAP journey is affected, that flexibility gives you an option to move your trip rather than travel during the disruption. Check with the airline about your booking before making your way to the airport.

Compensation generally isn't owed when severe weather causes a cancellation or delay, because the conditions are outside the airline’s control. But that doesn't mean you're without support: under EC 261, passengers on covered flights still have rights to refunds, rebooking, and care.

If your flight is canceled, your airline must offer an alternative journey or a refund if you decide not to travel. During a long wait, you're also entitled to appropriate food and refreshments. If you're away from home and need to wait overnight, the airline must provide accommodation and transportation to it.

Your exact rights depend on your flight and circumstances. Keep following your airline’s check-in and boarding instructions, and ask what assistance is available. If you're unsure whether compensation could apply to your particular disruption, AirHelp’s free flight checker can help you check your eligibility.

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Information on this page is AI generated, but always checked by a (human) passenger right expert.