TUI cancels flights leaving travellers facing Easter holiday chaos (2025)

Spanish authorities declared a state of emergency in the Canary Island following torrential weather last weekend.

TUI has cancelled flights to Lanzarote leaving UK travellers facing Easter holiday chaos. The Canary Islands has faced heavy rainfall in recent days leaving parts of the island flooded.

Spanish authorities declared a state of emergency following the torrential weather.

Costa Teguise, which is popular with UK holidaymakers, was badly impacted by the downpours. Travellers took to social media to show the damage.

Shocking images showed roads swamped with thick muck and swimming pools filled with brown water.

Several disgruntled travellers only found out their holidays had been axed when they arrived at the airport.

A spokesperson for TUI said: "Due to the lack of alternative accommodation on the island during the busy Easter period we unfortunately had to cancel a small number of holidays departing yesterday and today.

"Customers were able to receive a full-refund or amend to another TUI holiday with a re-booking incentive.

"As always, the safety of our customers and colleagues is our main priority therefore TUI resort teams are working with the local authorities to find customers currently in impacted hotels, alternative accommodation or return flights back to the UK."

On Monday, the Foreign Office cautioned that journeys to the island would be disrupted due to the heavy rainfall and flooding, reports the Mirror. It advised those travelling to or already on the island to "follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local weather updates".

However, the weather forecast for Lanzarote over the next few days looks much more promising. Spain's State Meteorological Agency is forecasting mostly cloudy or sunny conditions with a slight chance of rain and temperatures reaching up to 23C.

Local authorities have confirmed that there have been no reported injuries, and the state of emergency in the Canary Islands was lifted on Sunday morning. Arrecife and San Bartolome were among the areas most severely impacted by the weather.

The head of Lanzarote's emergency services revealed on Sunday that crews responded to 300 calls overnight, primarily in Arrecife and Teguise, with several homes experiencing flooding.

Pictures from the scene show cars submerged in water, buildings flooded and large bins being swept down streets by the powerful floodwaters, just days after the island was hit by Storm Oliver.

Lanzarote, known for its year-round warm weather, beaches, watersports and more, is a favourite holiday spot for tourists including many Brits.

This comes after a British tourist's nightmarish travel experience led police in Benidorm to issue an urgent warning to anyone planning on visiting the Costa Blanca resort town.

Three men have been apprehended in Benidorm after the tourist's bank cards were stolen and used nine times in less than 20 minutes.

The tourist was targeted near the town's infamous Muggers' Alley, located off Gerona Street next to the local tourist police station.

The arrests were made after the victim received notifications on his mobile about the usage of his cards at various bars and restaurants around the town, leading detectives to one of these locations.

Police issued a warning to tourists visiting Benidorm this Easter, advising: "Always keep an eye on your personal belongings, especially in crowded areas. Do NOT keep cell phones or wallets in back pockets or easily accessible areas.

"Be wary of strangers who approach you with vague excuses or exaggerated gestures. In the event of a robbery, do not confront the offender directly and notify the police immediately."