For Emma, a 28-year-old nurse from Manchester, Majorca was supposed to be her slice of paradise—a week of sun, sea, and sangria. Instead, she’s huddled at Palma de Mallorca Airport, her easyJet flight grounded by a fierce storm that’s turned her holiday into a nightmare. She’s not alone. Thousands of British travelers are stuck, their plans upended by torrential rain and lightning that halted hundreds of flights this week. For these families, couples, and solo adventurers, the heartache is real as they navigate canceled flights, crowded terminals, and the scramble to get home.

The chaos began Sunday when a rare Mediterranean storm brought 60 mph winds and flash floods to Majorca, flooding runways and paralyzing air traffic control. EasyJet, a go-to airline for UK holidaymakers, canceled dozens of flights, citing safety and air traffic restrictions. Other carriers like Ryanair faced similar woes, with over 300 flights delayed or canceled by Monday. “I saved for months for this trip,” Emma says, her voice heavy. “Now we’re sleeping on airport chairs, and no one’s telling us when we’ll leave.” Her friends were offered a flight to Birmingham via Belfast—two days from now—leaving them to fend for themselves.

Majorca’s usually sunny June weather was no match for this low-pressure system, which meteorologists say is a sign of shifting climate patterns. Flooded roads made getting to the airport a struggle, and Spain’s airport authority, AENA, paused operations during the storm’s peak for safety. The ripple effect hit UK airports too, with passengers stuck at Gatwick and Manchester. The travel industry, still shaky from post-pandemic recovery, is reeling from the disruption, and passengers like Emma are caught in the middle, juggling rebookings and unexpected costs.

The human impact stings. Families like the Thompsons from Leeds, with two kids under five, are out of clean clothes and patience. “We’re stuck, and our hotel booking’s expired,” Sarah Thompson, 34, says. “EasyJet offered a refund, but that doesn’t help us now.” Travelers are frustrated by spotty updates and limited support for meals or rooms. Local hotels, packed with summer crowds, are charging premium rates, and some passengers are resorting to sleeping in terminals. Consumer groups are pressing airlines to honor EU rules for covering costs, but help feels slow.

EasyJet’s response has been apologetic but strained. “Safety comes first, and we’re working to get everyone home,” a spokesperson said. They’ve promised rebookings and some support, but overwhelmed staff and long queues tell a different story. Majorca’s tourism board is stepping in with emergency aid, but resources are stretched. The island, which welcomed 2 million Brits last year, worries about its reputation as a holiday haven. “We want visitors to feel welcome, but this storm was beyond our control,” a local official said.

The fallout hits hard. For tourists, it’s not just lost holidays but added expenses—hotels, food, new flights. For Majorca, a dip in UK visitors could hurt its economy. The travel sector faces questions about handling extreme weather, which experts say may worsen with climate change. Airports are slowly recovering, with clearer skies forecast by mid-week, but a flight backlog lingers. Emma checks her phone, hoping for news. “I just want to be home,” she sighs. For her and thousands of others, this stormy summer in Majorca is a lesson in resilience—and a reminder that even paradise can’t outrun nature.

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