Emergency landings: Spanish air traffic controllers on point

Two separate incidents involving emergency landings occurred in Spain, requiring the quick response of air traffic controllers and airport authorities.

On Sunday, August 3, a flight from Barcelona to Essaouira, Morocco, made an unscheduled landing in Malaga to see to a pregnant passenger requiring urgent medical care. According to Spain’s Air Traffic Controllers (@controladores) on X, the aircraft, already over Moroccan airspace, was granted a priority diversion to Malaga. Air traffic controllers facilitated a smooth, continuous descent and a direct approach to runway 12, and managed to clear other traffic for a smooth and quick landing. Meanwhile medical assistance was coordinated on the ground, and the plane landed safely within approximately 20 minutes. Via their X account, the air traffic controllers expressed their hopes for a trouble-free birth for the mother and baby, and thanked other crews for their cooperation.

In a separate incident on July 5, a Ryanair Boeing 737 travelling from Malaga to London Stansted declared an emergency due to a possible fire indication in the landing gear. Air traffic controllers at Enaire’s Madrid control centre were alerted, and the flight was diverted to Madrid-Barajas Airport. 

Air traffic controllers managed to provide a direct route, continuous descent, and approach to runway 18R. Emergency protocols were activated at on the ground at Barajas with a temporary suspension of other takeoffs and approaches on certain runways for safety reasons. Upon landing, the aircraft was escorted by firefighters, and inspections confirmed no fire was present, allowing the plane to clear the runway and normal operations to resume.

Ryanair confirmed that a faulty technical indicator had triggered the alert. Engineers inspected the aircraft, confirming no actual problems were present. The airline arranged a replacement flight for passengers, which departed at 3.39pm, with a delay of less than 80 minutes.