Lorraine Williamson
Spain travel disruption warnings are now firmly on the table as cold air pushes into the centre of the country and forecasters flag a risk of snow and ice around Madrid overnight into Monday.
Aena has moved to activate its winter contingency procedures at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, urging passengers to check directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
Barajas: winter plan activated, passengers told to check flight status
Aena says it has activated its “Plan de Actuaciones Invernales” at Madrid-Barajas in response to the latest AEMET forecasts. In practical terms, that means the airport shifts into a higher-readiness mode for ice and snow, with teams monitoring conditions and preparing treatments for runways and taxiways if temperatures drop or snowfall arrives.
Crucially, activation is not the same as a blanket shutdown. Flights can still operate, but delays, de-icing procedures and knock-on disruption become more likely if conditions deteriorate. The message for travellers is simple: check your flight before you leave home, and build in extra time for surface access to the terminals.
It’s not just Madrid: 21 airports sit inside Aena’s winter network
Barajas is one of 21 airports covered by Aena’s winter operations plan for the 2025–26 season. The list includes hubs and regional airports that can see sudden winter disruption, from Barcelona-El Prat and Bilbao to Zaragoza, Valladolid and Santander, as well as mountain-adjacent airports such as Granada-Jaén and Huesca-Pirineos.
Aena says the plan is designed to minimise disruption while keeping safety as the priority, backed by specialist vehicles, de-icing materials and staff training across the network.
Rail: Adif’s winter prevention plan is already in force
On the rail side, Adif’s winter prevention plan is active across the network through to 1 March. It relies on AEMET alerts to trigger measures and includes equipment such as snow-clearing resources and priority response points designed to keep key routes moving during severe weather.
That doesn’t automatically translate into widespread cancellations. However, when snow or ice hits, operators can impose speed restrictions, alter services or switch to alternative transport on affected stretches. If you’re travelling by rail, check live updates before setting off.
Separately, some rail disruption this week is planned rather than weather-driven. Adif is also flagging engineering works around Barcelona’s network in early January, which can complicate journeys even in clear conditions.
Getting to the airport: allow extra time
If you’re heading to Barajas, the airport itself is already warning of adverse weather and low temperatures, and it points passengers to AEMET’s live warnings for Madrid. Road access can also slow quickly if ice forms on slip roads or elevated sections.
Even if public transport continues to run, winter weather tends to squeeze timetables. Plan for crowding, slower surface traffic and longer queues at drop-off points and terminal entrances.
Roads: DGT advice for anyone still driving in snow zones
Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, is repeating familiar winter rules as snow spreads: plan the trip, check road conditions first, and keep the left lane clear so snowploughs and road-maintenance vehicles can get through. It also advises winter tyres or all-season tyres, or carrying chains where snow is forecast.
What to do now if you’re travelling in the next 24 hours
Spain travel disruption warnings are most useful when they change behaviour early. If you’re due to travel tonight or Monday morning, the safest approach is to treat this as a “check twice” moment:
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Confirm your flight or train status before you leave
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Leave earlier than you normally would
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Pack for the wait (charger, water, warm layer)
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Avoid driving into snow zones unless you’re properly equipped
DGT travel advice
Key links to check before you travel
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Aena winter plan (details and airports covered):
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Aena flight status (Infovuelos):
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AEMET warnings for Madrid and national advisories:
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Adif: live rail network status:
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Adif: winter prevention plan overview:
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DGT travel advice during snow events: