Drones have been detected at Alicante-Elche Airport in Spain leading to flight chaos at the popular destination for British tourists with flights diverted as police investigate
Passengers are facing flight chaos with an airport at a popular destination for British tourists closed due to reported drones in the area.
Police are currently investigating at Alicante-Elche Airport in eastern Spain after the sighting of drones this evening, leading to planes having to be diverted. Authorities have confirmed at least nine planes have been diverted and has also stated that planes are not being allowed to depart or arrive.
According to Aena, the agency that operates airports in Spain, Ryanair flights from London, Manchester, Newcastle, Durham, and Frankfurt have all been diverted until 11pm local time. Planes have been diverted to nearby airports including Valencia, Murcia and Palma de Majorca.
Police have sent a specialist aerial unit to try and locate the drones which are believed to be in the Torrellano area.
A spokesperson for Alicante-Elche Airport said on the sightings of drones: “For now, there is no further information about it. Here in the area, nothing can be seen, but they need to ensure it is safe to operate again.”
And in an update the airport announced that the first plane will be taking off again shortly before 11pm. A message on X read: “22:52, @AirEuropa flight bound for Madrid Barajas begins taxiing to the runway, and with this, operations at Alicante-Elche airport resume after nearly two hours of closure.”
However, passengers are being warned of long delays due to the closure of the airport.
A previous post from Aena on X read: “Due to the presence of a #drone in the vicinity of the #Alicante-#Elche Miguel Hernández #Airport, flight diversions are occurring. We are working together with the Security Forces to normalize operations as soon as possible. Check with your airline for the status of your flight.”
It comes after flights were stopped earlier this month at Majorca Airport – with several planes forced to divert to other airports in Spain after several reports of a drone being seen by air crew. FlightRadar24 reported: “Operations at Palma de Mallorca Airport are currently suspended because of a drone in the airspace. Last landing was at 18:58 local time (5.58pm UK time). Several flights are diverting to other airports.”
It is understood that air crew on at least six planes travelling to and from Majorca airport reported seeing what they believed to be a drone leading to the emergency measures being introduced. And it follows many airports in Europe have faced disruption from drones with claims that Russia has been behind some of the interference.
Passengers on board a Ryanair flight from Madrid to Palma said that the cabin crew told them that a drone had been spotted as they came into land and so they were diverted to Ibiza. And one person on board told Diario de Mallorca: “Diverted planes like our have had to stop to refuel and so we don’t know yet when we are going to be able to take off again.”