Storm Charles Cancels 380 Flights as Portugal Alerts Ease

Storm Charles led to 380 cancelled arrivals and departures at four Portuguese airports on Wednesday, 11 November, with Lisbon suffering by far the largest disruption. Flights at Porto, Faro and Madeira were also affected as heavy rain and strong winds swept across the country. Although weather warnings eased later in the day, the latest airport-wide figures did not yet confirm whether Thursday's schedule would operate normally.

What to Do if Your Portugal Flight Changes

• Check your flight status with the airline before travelling, including any connecting flight.
• If cancelled, request a refund or rerouting instead of immediately buying another ticket.
• Eligible TAP customers can move flights originally scheduled for 10–11 November to dates through 17 November without change penalties.
• Ask for meals and accommodation if an overnight wait is necessary; retain receipts.
• For separate-ticket connections, contact the next airline promptly.

By 18:30 local time on 11 November, ANA figures showed 325 cancelled arrivals and departures in Lisbon, 25 in Madeira, 18 in Faro and 12 in Porto. Those 380 movements included advance and same-day cancellations, not Thursday's figures. IPMA said Charles split into weaker systems; its published warnings showed no red or orange alerts for Thursday, although a yellow coastal warning was due to expire at 03:00.

TAP’s waiver applies to eligible TAP and TAP Express bookings issued by 10 November, with travel originally planned for 10 or 11 November. Changes are arranged through Manage Booking or the issuing travel agent; guidance for agents specifies the same origin and destination and availability in an eligible booking class. Changing to another airport is not included. Travellers with separate tickets should contact each airline independently.

Where EU passenger-rights rules apply, severe weather may rule out fixed compensation, but cancelled-flight customers still choose a refund or rerouting. Airlines must provide meals and, when needed, hotel accommodation and transfers while passengers await replacement flights. If care is unavailable, keep receipts for reasonable expenses. EU refunds are due within seven days; avoid voluntarily cancelling a flight still operating before checking its fare conditions.