Pope Francis to return to Rome on King Felipe VI's Falcon after Iberia plane fault

Pope Francis' scheduled flight from Tenerife North to Rome on an Iberia Airbus A320 was halted by a technical failure that prevented the aircraft from taking off. The plane, delayed by about an hour, could not be restarted after attempts to tow it against the wind. The Pope, accompanied by senior Vatican officials including Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, disembarked with King Felipe VI of Spain, who had briefly left the terminal before returning to accompany the papal delegation.

Spain’s monarchy offered the Holy See a Falcon jet for the onward journey. Vatican sources said the new departure was planned for around 18:00 local time, with an expected arrival in Rome around 23:00. Iberia indicated a replacement aircraft would be dispatched from Madrid to carry the remaining Vatican entourage.

The incident highlights the coordination between the Spanish Crown and the Vatican in ensuring the Pope’s return to Italy despite the aircraft malfunction.