Bomb threat disrupts Lanzarote Airport operations
A bomb warning on a plane from Cardiff, Wales, bound for César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport turned out to be a false alarm but triggered a full emergency response at the popular Canary Islands destination on Thursday morning. The incident serves as a reminder of the robust security protocols in place at one of the archipelago’s busiest tourist gateways.
Mid-flight security alert
The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m., according to the Guardia Civil. Sources from the Lanzarote Security and Emergencies Consortium reported that a handwritten note was discovered on board the aircraft, warning of a bomb threat. According to some sources, crew members handed the letter to the pilot while the flight was en route, just as it finished flying over Portugal heading toward the Canary Islands.
Emergency protocols activated
Once the aircraft landed at approximately 10:55 a.m., it was immediately guided to an isolated area away from the main apron of the Lanzarote civil aerodrome. This procedure followed established protocols for such security situations, ensuring the safety of other aircraft and passengers while allowing thorough inspections to take place. Importantly for travelers, the airport remained fully operational throughout the incident, according to sources from Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (AENA).
The airport’s Emergency Plan was activated in response to the security threat on the Cardiff flight. This comprehensive response demonstrates the preparedness of Lanzarote’s airport infrastructure to handle security incidents while minimizing disruption to the thousands of tourists who pass through this vital gateway to the Canary Islands daily.
Thorough investigation yields no evidence
Specialized units from the Civil Guard, including the Technical Specialists in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (TEDAX), the Tax and Border Section, Citizen Security, and the Investigation Group, conducted comprehensive checks once all passengers had safely disembarked. After thorough inspections of both the aircraft and airport facilities, no explosive device was found, confirming the threat as a false alarm.
The Guardia Civil is now actively investigating to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for the false bomb warning. Once identified, those responsible will face legal consequences and possible sanctions for their actions, which not only endangered passenger safety but also disrupted airport operations at this crucial tourism hub.
