Storm Bruna: dozens of Madeira flights cancelled on 7 and 8 November 2026, including UK routes

By FlightClaimHQ Newsroom
Published 9 November 2026, 07:50 (UK time)

Storm Bruna severely disrupted Madeira International Airport in Funchal over the weekend of 7 and 8 November 2026. Dozens of flights were cancelled or diverted, including routes to London, Manchester and Bristol. The airport operator ANA warns that the weather may still affect flights in the coming days, the Portuguese news agency Lusa reported.

What happened at Madeira airport

On Saturday 7 November, strong winds and poor visibility left thousands of passengers without a flight, the Portuguese broadcaster RTP reported. By 5.20pm, the Madeira daily DNOTICIAS counted 37 cancelled flights since the morning, 20 arrivals and 17 departures, with gusts of up to 100 km/h at low altitude. Among the airlines hit that morning, the paper named British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, TAP, Transavia and Ryanair, on routes including London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester and Bristol.

Sunday was no better. According to Lusa, 20 flights had been cancelled and 8 diverted between midnight and midday. By 7pm, Euronews counted 26 arrivals and 28 departures cancelled over the day, based on the airport's website. No airline-by-airline figures for UK routes have been published.

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What to expect next

ANA advises passengers to check their flight status with their airline before going to the airport, as adverse weather is forecast. The Funchal harbour authority extended its strong wind and rough sea warnings until 6am on Monday 9 November. The weather service Meteored expects a new subtropical depression that could reach the islands on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 November, a forecast it describes as preliminary.

Your rights

A storm is usually an extraordinary circumstance, so fixed compensation is generally not due for a delay or cancellation caused directly by the weather. It depends on the facts: disruption with another cause, such as a technical fault or missing crew, can still qualify. Whatever the cause, a cancelled flight gives you the choice of a refund or a new flight, and the airline must provide meals and refreshments and, if you are stuck overnight, a hotel and transfers. Keep your boarding passes and receipts. FlightClaimHQ can check your case and handle the claim for you.

Your rights if your flight is affected

You may be entitled to fixed compensation per passenger if:

your flight arrived at its final destination 3 hours or more late;
your flight was cancelled and you were told less than 14 days before departure;

UK261 (flights departing from the UK, or arriving in the UK with a UK or EU airline): £220, £350 or £520 depending on flight distance.

EU261 (flights departing from the EU, or arriving in the EU with an EU airline): €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance.

You cannot claim if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. The airline must prove it.

Whatever the cause, while you wait the airline must provide care: meals and refreshments, and a hotel room with transfers if you are stuck overnight. Keep receipts for reasonable expenses.

Frequently asked questions

Are flights to Madeira still disrupted?

On 8 November ANA warned that bad weather could still affect flights in the coming days. Check your flight status with your airline before going to the airport.

Can I claim compensation for a flight cancelled by Storm Bruna?

Usually not, because severe weather is generally an extraordinary circumstance. You still have the right to a refund or a new flight, and to care while you wait.