Barcelona have made a last-minute adjustment to its travel itinerary ahead of the highly anticipated Copa del Rey clash against Atletico Madrid.
Following hours of negotiations with airport authorities and the charter flight airline, the club has decided to move its trip to the Spanish capital forward to tonight at 9:30 PM, the Catalans have officially confirmed.
Why the change of plans?
The primary motivation behind this sudden change is a forecast of strong wind gusts in Barcelona.
While the team was originally scheduled to fly tomorrow at 11:00 AM, meteorological reports indicated gusts reaching up to 55 knots, which accounts for a speed of up to 101 km/h.
Air traffic control sources suggest that while such wind intensity does not strictly prevent a takeoff, it carries significant operational risks.
Debido a las alertas de Protección Civil por fuertes vientos previstas para mañana, el primer equipo cambia el plan de viaje y volará esta misma noche a las 21:30 h hacia Madrid.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) February 11, 2026
The main concern for the club’s travel logistics is a potential change in wind direction; if the gusts were to hit the runway from a cross-angle, the manoeuvre could be severely complicated, leading to delays or even forcing flight diversions.
By departing tonight, the club aim to avoid the uncertainty of tomorrow’s worsening conditions.
The squad is expected to unite at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training complex around 8:00 PM tonight.
From there, the players will travel by the official team bus to the airport for their 9:30 PM flight. Upon arrival in Madrid, the team will head directly to the Intercontinental Hotel, where they will spend the night as they finalise their preparations for the first leg of the semifinals.
This change of flight plan ensures that Hansi Flick’s men will be well-rested and without any diversions as they prepare for a big Copa Del Rey clash against Atletico Madrid.
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