British News Agency

Both departures and arrivals were halted around 9:30 p.m. local time. Six flights bound for Alicante were diverted — five to Valencia and one to Murcia.

The airport management company AENA stated that the airport was closed purely for safety reasons until the situation was fully assessed.

The Spanish Guardia Civil has launched an investigation into the incident.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the drone was flown illegally or by accident, but noted that in either case, the consequences could be serious. Under Spanish law, flying drones near airports is strictly prohibited and can result in fines of up to €225,000.

The Alicante incident is not an isolated one. Similar airport closures have occurred in Copenhagen, Madrid, Lisbon, and London — all caused by drones flying near runways. Aviation authorities across Europe have called for tighter controls and better drone detection technology to prevent further disruptions.