The call came at 1pm local time from platform Tsunami Democràtic: people wanting to protest the verdicts announced today in the Catalan trial should head to Barcelona-El Prat airpot. Thousands of people responded, heading to the airport by cars, train, metro and even on foot.
Police are guarding the entrances, a first line of Catalonia's Mossos d'Esquadra, with the anti-riot officers of the Spanish National Police corps behind. For the moment, enough routes are being kept clear for passengers to be able to move with certain normality around the airport itself.
There are also serious issues with traffic and blocked roads near the airport. The issues have led some passengers to leave their cars to try and reach the airport on foot so as to not miss their flights. There are also reports of pilots and cabin crew having difficulties reaching the site, causing some delays and cancellations. Other protesters have at times blocked the security gates, leading to sporadic delays.
The first cancellations came shortly before 4pm local time, with five Vueling flights being scratched. In total, by 8.30pm a total of 108 flights had been cancelled so far, operator AENA has told El Nacional. Vueling now says that it has already cancelled 20 further flights scheduled for Tuesday.