Passengers are experiencing disruptions at an airport popular with British tourists as it has been shut down due to reported drone sightings in the vicinity. The Alicante-Elche Airport in eastern Spain is currently under investigation by the police after drones were spotted, resulting in the diversion of multiple flights. Authorities have confirmed that nine planes have been redirected, and no departures or arrivals are permitted at the airport.
According to Aena, the operator of Spanish airports, Ryanair flights from various cities like London, Manchester, Newcastle, Durham, and Frankfurt have been redirected until 11 pm local time. Flights have been rerouted to nearby airports such as Valencia, Murcia, and Palma de Majorca.
Law enforcement has dispatched a specialized aerial unit to locate the drones, believed to be in the Torrellano area. A spokesperson from Alicante-Elche Airport mentioned that there is limited information available currently, and safety measures need to be ensured before resuming operations.
In an update, the airport announced the resumption of operations with the departure of the first plane shortly before 11 pm. Passengers are cautioned about potential delays due to the airport closure. Previous announcements from Aena indicated flight diversions due to drone presence near the airport, advising passengers to check with their airlines for flight status updates.
This incident follows a recent halt in flights at Majorca Airport due to drone sightings, forcing several planes to divert to other Spanish airports. Reports from FlightRadar24 confirmed the suspension of operations at Palma de Mallorca Airport and flight diversions. Instances of drone-related disruptions in European airports have been on the rise, with allegations of interference originating from various sources, including Russia.
Passengers aboard a Ryanair flight from Madrid to Palma reported that a drone sighting led to their diversion to Ibiza. Concerns about refueling and uncertainty regarding departure times were expressed by passengers affected by the incident.