Valencia, February 2 - A serious security breach at Valencia Airport (VLC), also known as Manises Airport, disrupted flight operations on Saturday evening when an unauthorized individual accessed the restricted airside area and climbed onto the roof of a Vueling Airbus A320. The aircraft, parked on the tarmac and prepared for departure to Amsterdam, became the center of the incident shortly before its scheduled pushback. Passengers already boarded witnessed the unusual event unfold, prompting an immediate response from airport security personnel and the Guardia Civil. No injuries occurred during the episode, and the situation was resolved peacefully without force.
Visuals from the Manises/Valencia International Airport (VLC): A man sneaked into the apron of the airport this Saturday afternoon and climbed onto the roof of a Vueling A320 aircraft, forcing the delay of a flight that was leaving Valencia and bound for Amsterdam.
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The intruder managed to bypass security controls, reach the boarding stairs, and scale the exterior of the Vueling A320, remaining on the fuselage for approximately ten minutes while moving along the top of the aircraft. Authorities responded swiftly, using the same stairs to communicate with the individual and successfully persuade him to descend safely. The man was detained at the scene and later transferred for further assessment and care. The breach highlighted vulnerabilities in access to restricted zones, raising immediate questions about perimeter security and apron monitoring at one of Spain's busiest regional airports.
As a direct result of the security incident, the affected Vueling flight experienced a delay exceeding two hours while officials conducted necessary safety inspections of the aircraft and coordinated with aviation authorities. The plane eventually departed once cleared, though passengers endured extended waiting times both onboard and in the terminal. Such disruptions underscore the broader implications of unauthorized airside access, which can compromise operational safety and require thorough post-incident reviews.
Investigations are now underway to determine exactly how the breach occurred and to identify any procedural gaps that allowed entry into the secure apron area. Valencia Airport authorities, in collaboration with Spanish aviation regulators, are expected to implement enhanced measures to prevent similar events. This rare but alarming airport security breach serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust perimeter controls and rapid response protocols in maintaining the integrity of commercial aviation operations.