Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Spain Travel in Disarray as Drone Interruption Delays 20 Major Flights at Palma de Mallorca Airport, Including easyJet, SAS, Ryanair, Vueling and Other Airlines: Latest Update

Published on
October 20, 2025

Palma de mallorca airport

Travel in Spain was thrown into disarray on October 19, 2025, as a drone interruption led to delays for 20 major flights at Palma de Mallorca Airport. Airlines including easyJet, SAS, Ryanair, Vueling, and several others were impacted, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated.

The drone sighting forced the airport to temporarily halt operations, disrupting travel to and from key destinations like Barcelona, London, Geneva, and Copenhagen. Travelers faced confusion and uncertainty as their flights were delayed or diverted to other airports. With air traffic at a standstill, this disruption not only affected flights within Spain but also had ripple effects across Europe.

After a 30-minute suspension due to the drone sighting, operations at Palma de Mallorca Airport have resumed. Flights are once again landing, bringing relief to stranded passengers. The temporary halt caused significant delays, but air traffic has now returned to normal, with flights gradually resuming their scheduled arrivals and departures.

Affected Cities and Airports

The drone interruption at Palma de Mallorca Airport on October 19, 2025 caused significant disruptions across multiple countries and airports. In Spain, flights to and from major destinations like Barcelona, Alicante, and Nantes were impacted, with airlines such as easyJet, Vueling, and Ryanair affected. United Kingdom airports, particularly London Luton, also saw disruptions as several flights were delayed or diverted. Norway’s Oslo Gardermoen and Denmark’s Copenhagen airports were among the other European hubs affected by the cascading delays. Switzerland’s Geneva Cointrin and Zurich airports, as well as France’s Paris Orly and Basle-Mulhouse, experienced delays due to diverted flights. This widespread disruption highlighted how drone incidents can ripple across multiple airspaces, affecting travel across several countries.

Overview of Flight Delays

The drone interruption at Palma de Mallorca Airport on October 19, 2025, resulted in significant flight delays for a number of key routes operated by major European airlines, causing disruptions across multiple destinations. Below is a detailed overview of the affected flights, airlines, and destinations based on the provided table:

Affected Flights and Airlines:

Vueling Airlines (VLG)

  • VLG3921 (A321) – Barcelona Int’l (BCN / LEBL): Originally scheduled to depart on Thursday at 11:10 PM CEST.
  • VLG3919 (A321) – Barcelona Int’l (BCN / LEBL): Scheduled for Saturday at 10:25 PM CEST.
  • VLG3911 (A320) – Barcelona Int’l (BCN / LEBL): Scheduled for Saturday at 4:15 PM CEST.
  • VLG3909 (A321) – Barcelona Int’l (BCN / LEBL): Scheduled for Saturday at 1:25 PM CEST.
  • VLG6951 (A320) – Paris Orly (ORY / LFPO): Scheduled for Saturday at 3:45 PM CEST.
  • VLG2978 (A320) – Nantes Atlantique (NTE / LFRS): Scheduled for Saturday at 10:55 AM CEST.
  • VLG3935 (A320) – Alicante (ALC / LEAL): Scheduled for Friday at 8:25 AM CEST.

Ryanair (RYR)

  • RYR7836 (B738) – Brussels South Charleroi (CRL / EBCI): Originally scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 PM CEST.
  • RYR7830 (B738) – Brussels South Charleroi (CRL / EBCI): Scheduled for Tuesday at 2:35 PM CEST.
  • RYR1343 (B738) – Barcelona Int’l (BCN / LEBL): Scheduled for Saturday at 9:40 PM CEST.

easyJet (EZY)

  • EZY6738 (A320) – General Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS / LPPT): Scheduled for Saturday at 9:25 PM CEST.
  • EZY2344 (A320) – London Luton (LTN / EGGW): Scheduled for Saturday at 9:25 PM CEST.
  • EZY7365 (A320) – Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS / EHAM): Scheduled for Saturday at 5:45 PM CEST.
  • EZY1032 (A320) – Basle-Mulhouse (EAP / LFSB): Scheduled for Saturday at 3:25 PM CEST.

SAS (SAS4692)

  • SAS4692 (A320) – Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL / ENGM): Scheduled for Saturday at 8:15 PM CEST.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWR)

  • SWR2167 (BCS3) – Geneva Cointrin Int’l (GVA / LSGG): Scheduled for Saturday at 7:55 PM CEST.
  • SWR2151 (A21N) – Zurich (Kloten) (ZRH / LSZH): Scheduled for Saturday at 6:20 PM CEST.

Norwegian Air Shuttle (NSZ)

  • NSZ1737 (B738) – Oslo, Gardermoen (OSL / ENGM): Scheduled for Saturday at 7:20 PM CEST.

Scandinavian Airlines (SZS586)

  • SZS586 (A20N) – Copenhagen (CPH / EKCH): Scheduled for Saturday at 2:15 PM CEST.
    • Spain: The majority of delays involved Vueling and Ryanair, with frequent flights to Barcelona, Alicante, and Nantes, as well as easyJet services to Barcelona. This disrupted domestic travel, particularly affecting passengers heading to the popular holiday destination, Palma de Mallorca.
    • United Kingdom: London Luton was impacted by easyJet flights, leading to delays for passengers traveling to and from the UK, one of the most heavily affected regions by the drone interruption.
    • Belgium: Brussels South Charleroi, serviced by Ryanair, also saw significant delays on both Tuesday and Saturday flights, creating a ripple effect for travelers from Belgium to Palma de Mallorca.
    • Norway: With Oslo Gardermoen served by SAS and Norwegian Air Shuttle, several flights were delayed or diverted, causing major disruption for Norwegian passengers trying to travel to Spain or elsewhere in Europe.
    • Switzerland: Geneva Cointrin and Zurich, with flights operated by Swiss International Air Lines, experienced delays, impacting both outbound and inbound traffic to Palma de Mallorca and connecting cities.
    • France: Paris Orly, Basle-Mulhouse, and Nantes Atlantique airports faced delays, with passengers flying easyJet and other airlines, further complicating travel across France.
    • Denmark: Copenhagen, served by Scandinavian Airlines, was also affected as flights were delayed or rerouted due to the Palma de Mallorca disruptions.

    The disruptions caused by the drone sighting not only affected direct flights to and from Palma de Mallorca but also had a cascading effect on connecting flights through various airports across Europe. Passengers experienced long waiting times, confusion at terminals, and uncertainty about new departure times. Some flights were diverted to other nearby airports as a precaution, leading to further delays and complicating the coordination between airlines and ground services.

    What to Do if Your Flight Gets Delayed: A Quick Guide

    Flight delays are an inevitable part of travel, but how you handle them can make all the difference. Here’s a quick guide to help you stay calm and make the most of the situation.

    1. Stay Informed

    • Check your flight status regularly via the airline’s app, website, or the airport’s flight information screens. If there’s a delay, you’ll likely be notified via email, text, or announcements.

    2. Understand Your Rights

    • Know your passenger rights, especially if your flight is delayed for an extended period. In the EU, for example, you’re entitled to compensation and refreshments for delays over 3 hours under certain conditions.

    3. Head to the Airline Counter

    • If your delay is long, head to the airline counter to inquire about the situation. The staff can provide updates and might offer vouchers, rebooking options, or assistance with accommodation if needed.

    4. Stay Calm and Flexible

    • If the delay extends, remain calm and flexible. You might be offered a seat on a later flight or a different route. Keep in mind that airlines will usually prioritize connecting flights or those with long delays.

    The drone disruption at Palma de Mallorca Airport has once again highlighted the vulnerability of modern air travel to unexpected interruptions. With over 20 flights delayed or diverted, passengers across Europe experienced firsthand the chaos caused by a simple yet disruptive drone sighting. As air traffic grinds to a halt and confusion spreads, the aviation industry is left grappling with the question of how to enhance safety measures and protect busy airspaces. Moving forward, stricter drone regulations and better detection systems will be crucial to prevent such incidents and ensure smoother travel experiences for millions of passengers worldwide.

    Source: FlightAware