Spain has requested Morocco to adjust the flight altitude of drones operating near Melilla, following an incident on September 22 that interfered with the landing approach of a commercial aircraft. According to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, the drone was detected in Moroccan airspace and delayed the landing of an Iberia flight. The incident took place on the evening of September 22 as the aircraft approached Melilla Airport.
The drone remained on the Moroccan side of the border, according to Spain’s Government Delegation in Melilla. Sources from Spain’s Civil Guard told RTVE that airport control staff detected the drone's presence and alerted authorities, leading to a delay in the flight. However, the sources did not provide details on the length of the delay. Aena, Spain’s airport operator, confirmed that the incident did not affect the airport’s overall operations.
The Spanish Government Delegation stated that the request to Morocco aims to prevent drone activity from affecting commercial flights that arrive at or depart from Melilla. This issue is particularly relevant for Melilla Airport, where low cloud cover can already cause flight delays and cancellations. Spanish authorities have also pointed to the surrounding airspace as a factor that complicates efforts to improve the airport’s operations.
This incident has brought renewed attention to drone activity around the border between Morocco and the Spanish-occupied city. Earlier, on September 9, Spanish authorities detected another drone near Ceuta during a visit by National Police Director Francisco Pardo and Civil Guard Director Mercedes González. RTVE reported that the device carried equipment designed to bypass electronic jamming systems.
The report did not provide further details about the drone’s operator or the circumstances that led to its detection. The two incidents have prompted renewed attention to the use of drones near Ceuta and Melilla, where airspace, border security, and commercial connectivity intersect. The Spanish authorities are taking steps to ensure safe flight operations in the region.
The request to adjust drone altitudes is a measure to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident did not result in any flight cancellations, and authorities did not close Melilla’s airspace. Aena confirmed that the airport’s operations continued normally despite the incident. The Spanish authorities are working with Moroccan authorities to address the issue.
The incidents have highlighted the need for cooperation between Spain and Morocco to address the issue of drone activity near Ceuta and Melilla. The two countries are working together to prevent similar incidents and ensure safe flight operations in the region. The Spanish Government Delegation in Melilla is leading the efforts to address the issue and prevent future incidents.
Key points
- Spain requests Morocco to adjust drone altitudes to prevent interference with commercial flights.
- A drone incident on September 22 delayed an Iberia flight landing at Melilla Airport.
- The incident highlights the need for cooperation between Spain and Morocco to address drone activity near Ceuta and Melilla.
