Major power outage in Spain and Portugal sends ripples across U.S. travel, business, and tourism
Pranjal Chandra | Apr 28, 2025, 20:04 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
A massive power outage in Spain, Portugal, and France has triggered widespread disruptions for American travelers and businesses. Flights are delayed, tourists are stranded, and companies face communication blackouts. The cause remains unclear, with cybersecurity concerns raised, as officials estimate restoration could take several hours, leading to lingering disruptions for Americans.
A massive and unexplained power outage across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France on Monday is having consequences far beyond Europe, creating significant disruptions for American travelers, airlines, and businesses tied to the Iberian Peninsula.
The blackout, which struck shortly after noon local time, left Madrid, Lisbon, and surrounding regions without electricity. Airports, rail networks, and even critical city infrastructure like traffic lights were paralyzed creating chaos that quickly spilled over to U.S. citizens abroad and transatlantic operations.
One of the most immediate effects was on American travelers heading to and from Europe. Major carriers including United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines reported significant delays for flights inbound to Madrid and Lisbon. U.S. tourists already in Spain and Portugal were stranded at airports with minimal communication and no clear timelines for when operations would resume.
TAP Portugal, a major airline linking U.S. cities like New York and Miami to Lisbon, issued a warning advising all passengers not to travel to the airport until further notice, citing "temporary and severe" limitations in airport functionality.
Travel industry experts warn that ripple effects could last for days, affecting both international and connecting flights throughout Europe and the U.S.
"We're advising clients to expect delays and possible rebookings if they're traveling to Iberia or connecting through Europe this week," said Michael Thorsen, a travel coordinator based in New York City.
The blackout also has serious implications for American businesses with operations or partners in Spain and Portugal. Companies in sectors like finance, tech support, hospitality, and logistics faced sudden communication blackouts as offices and data centers went dark.
Tech firms like Google, Amazon, and Meta, all of which have regional hubs in Madrid and Lisbon, activated contingency plans. "We are aware of the ongoing power outage and are monitoring impacts on our Iberian operations," a Meta spokesperson told NBC News.
Retail brands popular with American tourists such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Apple stores were shuttered across major cities, while Spanish-owned businesses with U.S. ties, like Zara, faced disruptions affecting supply chains already strained by global instability.
Tens of thousands of American tourists currently traveling across Spain and Portugal found themselves navigating darkened hotels, closed tourist attractions, and halted public transportation. Madrid's subways stopped running, road tunnels were closed, and even luxury hotels operated by candlelight, according to firsthand reports.
Susan Meyer, an American tourist visiting Lisbon, described the confusion: "We were at a museum when everything went pitch black. We thought it was just a small issue, but then we realized the whole city was down."
In Madrid, U.S. tennis fans attending the prestigious Mutua Madrid Open were forced to leave the stadium mid-match. Electronic scoreboards went blank, cameras froze, and organizers announced a suspension of play an unprecedented move at one of Europe's premier tennis tournaments.
While the cause of the outage remains unclear, Portuguese officials have raised the possibility of a malicious cyberattack, although no definitive evidence has emerged. America's Department of Homeland Security said it was in contact with European counterparts to monitor developments.
"The Iberian Peninsula is a significant entry point for American business and tourism in Europe," said cybersecurity analyst Rachel Mendez. "If a cyberattack is confirmed, it could trigger new concerns about vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure both abroad and here at home."
Spanish officials estimate that restoring full power could take six to ten hours, although parts of northern Spain are reportedly beginning to see recovery.
As airlines scramble to adjust and travelers seek new plans, experts advise Americans in Spain, Portugal, or France to stay put, limit movement, and prepare for lingering disruptions over the next several days.
"This isn't just a local issue," said Thorsen. "In an interconnected world, a blackout in Europe can mean missed meetings, canceled vacations, and serious headaches for Americans everywhere."
The blackout, which struck shortly after noon local time, left Madrid, Lisbon, and surrounding regions without electricity. Airports, rail networks, and even critical city infrastructure like traffic lights were paralyzed creating chaos that quickly spilled over to U.S. citizens abroad and transatlantic operations.
Flights delayed, travel thrown into chaos
One of the most immediate effects was on American travelers heading to and from Europe. Major carriers including United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines reported significant delays for flights inbound to Madrid and Lisbon. U.S. tourists already in Spain and Portugal were stranded at airports with minimal communication and no clear timelines for when operations would resume.
TAP Portugal, a major airline linking U.S. cities like New York and Miami to Lisbon, issued a warning advising all passengers not to travel to the airport until further notice, citing "temporary and severe" limitations in airport functionality.
Travel industry experts warn that ripple effects could last for days, affecting both international and connecting flights throughout Europe and the U.S.
"We're advising clients to expect delays and possible rebookings if they're traveling to Iberia or connecting through Europe this week," said Michael Thorsen, a travel coordinator based in New York City.
Disruption for U.S. businesses operating in Iberia
The blackout also has serious implications for American businesses with operations or partners in Spain and Portugal. Companies in sectors like finance, tech support, hospitality, and logistics faced sudden communication blackouts as offices and data centers went dark.
Tech firms like Google, Amazon, and Meta, all of which have regional hubs in Madrid and Lisbon, activated contingency plans. "We are aware of the ongoing power outage and are monitoring impacts on our Iberian operations," a Meta spokesperson told NBC News.
Retail brands popular with American tourists such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Apple stores were shuttered across major cities, while Spanish-owned businesses with U.S. ties, like Zara, faced disruptions affecting supply chains already strained by global instability.
Americans abroad caught in the blackout
Tens of thousands of American tourists currently traveling across Spain and Portugal found themselves navigating darkened hotels, closed tourist attractions, and halted public transportation. Madrid's subways stopped running, road tunnels were closed, and even luxury hotels operated by candlelight, according to firsthand reports.
Susan Meyer, an American tourist visiting Lisbon, described the confusion: "We were at a museum when everything went pitch black. We thought it was just a small issue, but then we realized the whole city was down."
In Madrid, U.S. tennis fans attending the prestigious Mutua Madrid Open were forced to leave the stadium mid-match. Electronic scoreboards went blank, cameras froze, and organizers announced a suspension of play an unprecedented move at one of Europe's premier tennis tournaments.
Fears of cyberattack spark wider concern
While the cause of the outage remains unclear, Portuguese officials have raised the possibility of a malicious cyberattack, although no definitive evidence has emerged. America's Department of Homeland Security said it was in contact with European counterparts to monitor developments.
"The Iberian Peninsula is a significant entry point for American business and tourism in Europe," said cybersecurity analyst Rachel Mendez. "If a cyberattack is confirmed, it could trigger new concerns about vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure both abroad and here at home."
Looking ahead
Spanish officials estimate that restoring full power could take six to ten hours, although parts of northern Spain are reportedly beginning to see recovery.
As airlines scramble to adjust and travelers seek new plans, experts advise Americans in Spain, Portugal, or France to stay put, limit movement, and prepare for lingering disruptions over the next several days.
"This isn't just a local issue," said Thorsen. "In an interconnected world, a blackout in Europe can mean missed meetings, canceled vacations, and serious headaches for Americans everywhere."