A major Spanish airport experienced a temporary shutdown during the weekend due to a drone sighting. Cesar Manrique-Lanzarote Airport was forced to cease operations just after 4 pm on Sunday afternoon following the presence of a drone in the vicinity, as reported by Spanish air traffic controllers. Incoming flights were put on hold for safety reasons until the situation was resolved, resulting in delays.
Although it was uncertain if flights to or from the UK were impacted, the runway remained closed for nearly an hour before normal activities resumed. Pilots of incoming flights were instructed to enter holding patterns until they were permitted to land, without any diversions to other airports within the Canary Islands. Authorities are currently investigating the identity of the drone operator.
Unauthorized drone usage in restricted areas like airports can lead to significant fines, ranging up to €200,000 for recreational purposes and up to €4.5 million for professional use. This incident is reminiscent of a similar occurrence in September last year when three flights carrying holidaymakers were redirected from Fuenteventura Airport due to drone sightings in the Playa Blanca area of the Canary Island, resulting in diversions to other airports.
In an unrelated incident earlier the same Sunday, a Tenerife airport had to evacuate holidaymakers for over an hour following the appearance of smoke in the boarding area. Passengers at Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna Airport were asked to leave as firefighters addressed the situation caused by a fire at a café within the airport. Some travelers missed their flights, leading to potential reaccommodation needs, with witnesses describing the scene as filled with white smoke and a smell reminiscent of burnt rubber.
Spanish airport operator Aena confirmed the incident and subsequent evacuation, assuring that operations were gradually returning to normal with minor delays for outgoing flights. Travelers were advised to check with their airlines for any flight-related updates amidst the disruptions.