Investigations into Drone Deployment at Palma Airport Underway

Flight traffic halted: Police search for the drone operator

A drone incident caused disruption Sunday evening at Palma airport. Around 20:15, staff at Terminal A reported an unknown small aerial device above the runway. The result: a temporary halt of operations, technical checks and many puzzled looks in the departure area.

Who sent the device into restricted zones?

The Guardia Civil has now officially opened investigations. PEGASO, the unit for airspace security, is on site and working to find the owner or operator of the device. In response, it was said that the search relies not only on footage from surveillance cameras, but also on witness statements from passengers and staff.

The incident led, according to the airport management, to about a 35-minute shutdown of operations. Some flights were delayed, others had to be rebooked. Travelers in the departures hall reported tense mood and complained about tight time windows and missed connections – typical on a Sunday evening when many returnees come to the island.

Legal consequences and appeal

Drones are legally considered aircraft. Anyone who launches them in designated restricted zones risks hefty fines and in the worst case, criminal consequences. Authorities reiterate: In the vicinity of airports, drone use is prohibited. Period.

In practice this means: camera footage, mobile data and coordination with mobile providers will now be evaluated. Investigators also rely on tips from the public. If you saw something near the airport on Sunday evening – report it, was the message.

How is the trace being followed?

PEGASO is working according to a multi-stage plan: visual inspection of camera images, cross-checking radar and ADS-B data, analysis of telemetry, if available. It is not unusual for the search to take several days. They want to ensure that it is not a technical malfunction of an allowed system or malicious intent.

At the airport itself, a stronger security presence was visible in the evening. Several police officers controlled access points, staff received instructions, preliminary logs were written. Arriving travelers had to expect longer waiting times – annoying, but from the authorities' perspective unavoidable.

Simplicity over guesswork

In short: The situation is uncomfortable, but under control. Investigations are ongoing. And hopefully some drone operators will learn from this that the rules are not merely recommendations but mandatory. Whoever flies their device over the security zone of an airport risks more than just a fine; they risk lives and an entire flight operation.

If you saw something or have footage, contact the local Guardia Civil. Every little bit helps.