Gran Canaria airport shut down after drone breaches runway perimeter

On 25 July, a recreational drone was blown by strong winds from a nearby beach into the restricted zone of Gran Canaria Airport. The Guardia Civil of the Las Palmas Command detected the unmanned aircraft inside the airfield and, citing a serious safety risk to take‑off and landing operations, halted all flight movements until the area was cleared.

The drone was later recovered and the operator identified. Authorities reported the incident to the civil aviation authority and said administrative sanctions could follow for breaching Spain’s unmanned‑aircraft regulations. The incident prompted reminders from the Guardia Civil’s Team Pegaso and the Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) that drone pilots must consult official maps, obtain the required A1/A3 theoretical certification, and avoid flights near critical infrastructure such as airports.

The temporary suspension caused brief disruption to commercial flights but no injuries or damage were reported.