Gibraltar airport was plunged into chaos on Saturday night after seven unauthorised drones entered the airspace around the runway.
The disruption forced the travel hub to delay a late-night easyJet service and force a British military aircraft to abandon its landing and divert to Portugal.
The incident is the third of its kind so far this year and has reignited concerns over drone activity in one of Europe’s most sensitive aviation zones.
According to the Gibraltar Chronicle, the first drone was spotted at 8.48pm, moments before an RAF aircraft was due to land.
As the military plane circled in a holding pattern, the situation rapidly deteriorated, with six more drones were reported within minutes, prompting the pilot to break off the approach entirely.
The military aircraft had to land in Faro in Portugal instead.
GBC News identified the aircraft as flight RRR1259 from RAF Northolt, which made several circuits over the Rock before abandoning the landing attempt and heading to Portugal.
Meanwhile, the easyJet service to Manchester, scheduled for 9.25pm, was left stranded after a drone was seen close to the runway.
HQ British Forces, which controls the runway, refused to clear the aircraft for departure until the airfield was declared secure.
Passengers were eventually told that the situation had been resolved shortly after 10pm, and the flight departed without further issues.
The Gibraltar Government has yet to release an official statement.
