Loss of separation between commercial Airbus and military F-16 formation in Spain

Casualties unknown • Las Palmas airport - GCLP (Canary Islands, Spain), CH

A serious airprox incident occurred at Las Palmas airport involving a Swiss-registered Airbus A320 and four military F-16 aircraft.

What happened

On 28 October 2025, at approximately 19:34 local time, a loss of separation occurred at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport (GCLP) in Spain. An Airbus A3DO-251N, registered as HB-AYE and operated by EasyJet Switzerland SA, was on its final approach to runway 03L. Simultaneously, a formation of four military F-16 aircraft, designated as PROTE75, was authorized to depart from the parallel runway, 03R. While the commercial airliner was already established on its approach, three of the four military jets successfully departed. However, during the takeoff roll of the fourth F-16, the required separation between the two groups of aircraft was lost.

The investigation

The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) notified the occurrence of this serious airprox incident. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of separation involves the Spanish aviation accident investigation commission, CIAIAC. The inquiry focuses on the coordination between the arrival of the Airbus A320-251N and the departure of the military formation during the simultaneous use of parallel runways.

Probable cause

The loss of separation occurred during the takeoff of the fourth aircraft in a military F-16 formation while a commercial airliner was on final approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2025-10-28 AIRBUS S.A.S. A320-251N accident near Las Palmas airport - GCLP (Canary Islands, Spain), CH?

A serious airprox incident occurred at Las Palmas airport involving a Swiss-registered Airbus A320 and four military F-16 aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2025-10-28 involved a AIRBUS S.A.S. A320-251N, registration HB-AYE, at Las Palmas airport - GCLP (Canary Islands, Spain), CH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The loss of separation occurred during the takeoff of the fourth aircraft in a military F-16 formation while a commercial airliner was on final approach.

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