Alicante-Elche Airport forced to close after drone sighting

Passengers flying into Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport on Monday night were caught up in unexpected chaos after a drone sighting forced air traffic to a complete stop.

Spain’s airport authority Aena confirmed that both arrivals and departures were suspended just after 9.30 p.m., following reports of a drone flying dangerously close to the runway.

The airspace closure, which lasted several hours, led to six flights being diverted – five to Valencia’s Manises Airport and one to Murcia. Aena said the decision was made ‘purely for safety reasons’ until the situation could be fully assessed.

Flights rerouted as airspace locked down

Travellers onboard affected flights were informed mid-air that they could not land in Alicante, while those waiting to take off were left stranded in the terminal as the situation unfolded.

Ground staff worked quickly to assist passengers whose planes were diverted, arranging transport and accommodation where possible. Others were told to remain in contact with their airlines for updates as the disruption rippled across the schedule.

Civil Guard takes over investigation

Following established security procedures, airport officials alerted the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), who have since launched an investigation to track down whoever was responsible for flying the drone in a restricted zone.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the drone was operated illegally or if it drifted into the area by mistake, but the consequences could be serious either way. Flying drones near airports is strictly prohibited under Spanish law, and offenders risk fines of up to €225,000.

Experts explain that even a small drone can cause major damage if it collides with an aircraft during take-off or landing, making such incidents a serious threat to aviation safety.

A growing concern for European airports

The incident in Alicante isn’t an isolated one. Similar airport closures have occurred in Madrid, Lisbon and London, all triggered by drone activity near runways. Aviation authorities across Europe have been calling for tighter controls and better drone detection technology to prevent future disruptions.

While Monday night’s shutdown caused no injuries or material damage, it highlighted just how easily air travel can be thrown into chaos by a single unauthorised drone.

Normal operations at Alicante-Elche Airport were expected to resume once the area was declared safe, but the incident has once again raised questions about how prepared airports are to deal with this growing issue.

Travellers are being advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport as flights gradually return to schedule.