A historic downpour struck Ibiza this week and left more than just flooded streets. The Ibiza Airport Road Closure remains in effect, scrambling schedules, delaying traffic, and forcing authorities into urgent repairs. In this update, we’ll walk through what triggered the closure, what’s being done, and how travellers and locals can cope.

What Caused the Ibiza Airport Road Closure?

Torrential Rain and Flooding

Storm “Gabrielle” unleashed extreme rainfall in Ibiza — over 250 litres/m² in 24 hours in some places. The deluge overwhelmed drainage systems and turned roads into rivers. Roads near the airport were hardest hit.
Authorities reported that the Ibiza Airport Road Closure stems from severe flooding between the Sant Jordi tunnel and the Ses Salines roundabout, where water and debris block traffic.

Infrastructure Under Strain

Rescuers had to pump millions of litres of water from the main access road. Nearly 3 million litres were extracted in ongoing emergency operations.
Parts of the route lie in a “trench” or low area prone to pooling. Those sections present a structural challenge and delay reopening.
Even after the storm subsided, the cleanup and assessment process uncovered risks to embankments, road foundations, and drainage systems.

What Authorities Are Doing About It

Urgent Emergency Response

• The Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) is leading water removal efforts along the flooded stretch.
• Additional high-capacity pumps were airlifted and deployed to boost the drainage speed.
• Officials opened nearby tunnels (Can Cifre, Puig d’en Valls) to ease local traffic pressure.
• The regional government is evaluating whether to propose a zona catastrófica (disaster area) status to access extra funding and aid.

Alternative Access and Travel Advice

• For now, drivers heading to the airport should use alternate routes like the Sant Josep–Can Furnet path.
• The Consell d’Eivissa warns travellers to leave extra time and avoid Sant Jordi direct routes.
• Local authorities urge extreme caution: residual mud, stones, and debris remain on side roads.

When Could Ibiza Airport Road Reopen?

At present, no firm timeline exists. Some sections reopened (tunnels and diversions), while the core affected stretch remains shut.
Officials say reopening may take days or up to a full week depending on structural assessments and how quickly water recedes.
They prioritise safety over speed — rushing the repair could lead to collapses or renewed flooding.

How Travellers and Locals Are Affected

Flights & Terminal Disruption

Though the terminal remains functional, many passengers were stranded or delayed. Some had to wait hours to exit due to blocked roadways.
Fuel trucks and service systems disrupted airport operations.

Broader Impacts

• Schools across Ibiza suspended classes while damage assessments took place.
• Municipalities scrambled to clear streets, restore electricity, and reconnect utilities.
• Local residents voiced frustration over how vulnerable key infrastructure appears to extreme weather.

Final Thoughts

The Ibiza Airport Road Closure underscores how extreme weather can upend even well-travelled infrastructure. While emergency teams work round the clock to restore access, travellers must stay informed, plan alternate routes, and expect delays. As Ibiza recovers, this event may push for stronger flood defences and smarter road design across the island.