Spain's Pegasus traffic helicopters grounded due to operator insolvency

Spain’s Pegasus traffic surveillance helicopters have been grounded at bases in Malaga, Seville, and Santiago de Compostela following the announcement that their operator, Eliance, has entered preliminary insolvency proceedings.

Eliance, which holds a contract worth over €51 million to operate and modernize the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) fleet, reported losses of €24 million in the last fiscal year. The company has informed its approximately 230 employees that it is taking steps to protect the business and maintain operations. The contract was intended to increase annual flight hours from 2,700 to approximately 5,500.

The CCOO trade union has raised concerns with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, stating that the DGT awarded the contract to a company with a history of contractual issues. Previously, Galicia’s emergency medical service, 061, terminated its contract with Eliance in March 2025 due to repeated problems. The current grounding reduces aerial traffic surveillance across large areas of Spain.