Have you missed your flight due to the Madrid-Barajas Airport collapse? Here's what you can claim for.

Madrid-Barajas Airport experienced a chaotic day on Wednesday, July 2nd. Specifically, there were long lines at passport control in Terminal 4 , as well as on the underground train that connects this terminal to its satellite, Terminal 4S.

As a result of the long waits, around 500 passengers have missed their flights . The Ministry of the Interior has indicated that the disruption was caused by a computer failure in the applications used by the National Police for this checkpoint, which coincided with a peak flight schedule.

This situation may raise questions about the rights of affected passengers . Can they be rebooked on another flight? Will they receive a refund? Are they entitled to compensation ?

Claim to the airline

The State Aviation Safety Agency, an agency attached to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, points out that passengers have certain rights in the event of denied boarding (due to overbooking), flight delays, or cancellations : the right to information, assistance while waiting, a refund or alternative transportation, and compensation.

However, in the case of the collapse at Madrid-Barajas Airport, passengers missed their flight , a situation not covered by these rights. Therefore, travelers cannot claim anything from the airline with which they were booked, nor can they be rebooked on another flight free of charge, receive a refund of their ticket, or receive any type of compensation.

Claim to Aena

The only option for affected passengers is to file their complaint directly with Aena , the public company that manages the country's airports. On its website, we find the "Procedures and Complaints Portal," where we can submit "all types of complaints, queries, suggestions, or compliments regarding the airport facilities and services provided by Aena."

To do so, we'll need to fill out a form with our personal information, the airport where the incident occurred, the date, and a description of the problem. You can also submit a written complaint by downloading the form available in the "Forms" section and sending it directly to the airport.