Drone Sightings Cause Flight Disruptions at Alicante Airport
Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
Drone Forces Temporary Closure at Alicante Airport
Passengers travelling via Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport on Monday night (27th of October 2025) faced significant disruption when a drone was spotted flying dangerously close to the runway.
The incident occurred shortly before 9 p.m., prompting airport authorities to suspend all operations for safety reasons. In line with established aviation safety protocols, the airfield was closed for nearly two hours while the airspace was checked and secured.
During the closure, ten flights bound for Alicante were diverted to other airports, mainly Valencia, as well as Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, and Barcelona. The affected aircraft had departed from Amsterdam, Lanzarote, several UK cities (including Manchester, Liverpool, London-Stansted and Newcastle), as well as Paris, Frankfurt, and Krakow.
Although no flights were cancelled, the suspension caused numerous delays and inconvenience for passengers. The airport resumed normal operations just before 11 p.m.
Police Investigation Underway
Following the sighting, both the Civil Guard and the National Police launched an investigation to determine the drone’s origin and to identify the person responsible for operating it.
Authorities described the use of drones near airports as a serious safety risk, as they can interfere with aircraft during take-off or landing. The incident has renewed calls for tighter regulation and improved detection systems at major airports across Spain.
Similar Incidents at Other Spanish Airports
Alicante was not the only Spanish airport to face drone-related disruption this October.
Fuerteventura Airport (Canary Islands)
On the morning of 14 October 2025, a drone was reported flying dangerously close to Fuerteventura Airport’s airfield. As a precaution, flights were temporarily suspended, affecting around 600 passengers. Further sightings were reported on 18 and 19 October, leading to heightened monitoring of the surrounding airspace.
Palma de Mallorca Airport (Balearic Islands)
A few days later, on 19 October 2025, air traffic at Palma de Mallorca Airport was brought to a standstill after a drone was sighted near the runways shortly after 7 p.m. Spain’s air navigation authority, Enaire, suspended all arrivals and departures for around 35 minutes until the area was declared safe.
Both incidents caused delays and operational disruption, but fortunately, no accidents or injuries were reported.
Growing Drone Threat Across Europe
The European Union has also recognised the increasing threat of drones within its airspace. The European Commission recently announced plans for a new “drone wall” initiative, an integrated air-defence system designed to detect and neutralise unauthorised drones before they disrupt airport operations.
The Day After the Incident
Flights at Alicante Airport are operating as scheduled this morning, Tuesday, the 28th of October 2025. However, the recent spate of drone sightings at several Spanish airports has once again highlighted the vulnerability of air travel to unauthorised drone activity. As technology continues to evolve, aviation authorities across Europe are stepping up efforts to protect passengers and ensure safe skies. Travellers are advised to stay informed and plan ahead, as even a small drone can cause major disruption to flight schedules.