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Palma de Mallorca Airport Briefly Halts Arrivals After Reported Drone Sighting

The 35-minute pause prompted eight diversions before traffic resumed, underscoring a wider surge in airport drone disruptions across Europe.

Overview

  • Enaire said operations were temporarily suspended on Oct. 19 after multiple pilots reported a drone near Palma de Mallorca’s two runways.
  • Aena reported incoming flights were paused for about 35 minutes, eight flights were diverted, and schedules normalized by Monday.
  • FlightRadar24 relayed that at least six flight crews confirmed a sighting, though some outlets cited higher diversion totals.
  • Spanish police opened an investigation, deployed a drone during the search, and have not located the operator or any device.
  • Aena reminded the public that drones are prohibited within 8 km of airports with fines up to €225,000, as recent incidents in Spain, Germany, and Denmark fuel calls for stronger countermeasures.