A small aircraft incident at Tenerife South Airport in Spain's Canary Islands led to the diversion of over twenty flights. The disruption occurred on January 2, 2025, when a private jet experienced technical difficulties shortly after landing, leaving it immobilized on the runway. Spanish officials confirmed that operations resumed after the aircraft was removed.
The incident happened around 18:00 local time. Initial reports suggest a potential landing gear malfunction caused the jet to block the runway. Due to its position and the need for specialized equipment, airport staff could not immediately remove the plane, leading to significant delays as flights were unable to land or depart.
According to a spokesperson for ANEA, "Yesterday, at around 6:00 p.m., a small aircraft blocked the runway at the Tenerife South Airport. At around 7:30 p.m., the aircraft was removed and the runway became operational again." The spokesperson added, "There were 22 flights diverted to other Canarian airports."