Holidaymakers bound for the Balearic Islands faced an evening of chaos after a mystery drone sighting forced Palma de Majorca Airport to suspend operations on Monday, October 20.
Drone Sighting Halts Flights at Majorca Airport
Air traffic was brought to a standstill around 6.00 pm UK time at the Majorca Airport, leaving incoming planes circling above the island while others were diverted to nearby destinations such as Ibiza and Menorca.
According to flight-tracking service FlightRadar24, the last landing occurred at 5.58 pm UK time, after which all operations were halted due to an unidentified drone entering restricted airspace.
Airport authorities immediately launched safety protocols, grounding departing flights and preventing new arrivals from landing until the airspace was declared safe.
Passengers inside the terminal reported confusion as departure boards filled with delays.
One flight from London Gatwick was listed as delayed indefinitely, sparking speculation that it had been forced to divert mid-air.
Flights Resume After Half-Hour Suspension
After nearly 30 minutes of suspension, operations gradually resumed around 6.30 pm UK time, as authorities confirmed the drone was no longer visible in the vicinity.
While no injuries or accidents were reported, the incident left many travelers stranded and prompted renewed debate over airport security and drone regulation.
Spanish aviation officials have yet to identify the drone or its operator. Local confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine whether the sighting was accidental or deliberate.
Growing Pattern of Drone Disruptions Across Europe
The Majorca incident follows a similar episode at Munich Airport earlier this month, where unidentified drones forced both runways to close, delaying thousands of passengers during Oktoberfest.
Across Europe, airports in Germany, Denmark and other NATO nations have reported increased drone activity near restricted airspace.
Authorities are now probing possible links between these incursions and suspected Russian “shadow” fleet operations, after several Russian vessels were spotted near drone activity zones.
While no direct connection has been proven, the pattern has heightened security alerts across European airspaces.
With drone technology becoming more accessible, aviation experts warn that such incidents could become increasingly frequent and far more disruptive, if stronger counter-drone measures are not swiftly implemented.
Have you ever experienced flight delays caused by drones or security delays? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
