Barcelona airport hosts emergency landing for Royal Air Maroc flight

A Royal Air Maroc flight traveling from Casablanca to Istanbul was diverted to Barcelona-El Prat Airport on Sunday, November 8, 2026, to facilitate the urgent medical evacuation of an infant.

Air traffic controllers coordinated a specialized approach to runway 24L, a seaside runway typically used for takeoffs, to ensure the quickest possible arrival. Officials also had to account for the aircraft's fuel weight during the emergency maneuver. To minimize delays for medical responders, the Boeing 787 was directed to a parking position near a runway exit, allowing medical teams to reach the infant immediately upon landing.

Air traffic control services temporarily paused takeoffs and landings to prioritize the aircraft's arrival and ensure the safety of the operation.