RGP launches investigation after drone forces plane to divert
Archive photo by Johnny Bugeja.
The Royal Gibraltar Police has launched an investigation after an unauthorised drone forced a commercial flight to divert to a Spanish airport, the second such incident in under 10 days.
Saturday’s evening easyJet flight from Manchester was diverted to Seville and landed in Gibraltar just before midnight after the approach to the runway was declared safe.
Earlier this month, passengers on an easyJet flight to Bristol faced serious delays after their plane was held back when unauthorised drones were seen flying near the runway.
On both occasions, the presence of the drones prompted airfield operators to delay departure amid safety concerns.
“At around 2036 last night [Saturday], the RGP Control Room received a report from the GDP that there was drone activity in the area of the airfield, which was preventing a passenger jet from landing at Gibraltar International Airport,” a spokesperson for the RGP said.
“RGP were deployed to assist MOD in the area.”
“An RGP investigation is under way.”
It is an offence to fly a drone in Gibraltar without a permit from the Director of Civil Aviation and insurance.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: "Following the sighting of an unauthorised drone flying in the vicinity of the airport, a flight was temporarily diverted to Seville on Saturday night before landing in Gibraltar airport, once safe to do so.”
"We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.”
The MoD urged anyone spotting a drone flying over Gibraltar to report it to the RGP.
The Gibraltar Government has been contacted for comment.