Oct 28th 2025 : Spanish aviation authorities are investigating a serious incident at Las Palmas Airport after an EasyJet Switzerland Airbus A320neo experienced a loss of separation with a formation of military aircraft during final approach.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320-200N registered HB-AYE, was operating flight U2-1355 from Geneva (Switzerland) to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (Spain), carrying 133 passengers and six crew members. The incident occurred while the aircraft was on approach to runway 03L at Las Palmas Airport (GCLP).
Sequence of Events
According to Spain’s Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC), while the EasyJet aircraft was on final approach, a formation of four military F-16 aircraft, operating under the call sign PROTE75, was cleared for takeoff from the parallel runway 03R.
The first three F-16s commenced their takeoff roll while flight EZS1355 was in the final segment of its approach, very close to the runway threshold. The CIAIAC reported that the EasyJet aircraft touched down almost simultaneously with the third F-16 taking off in parallel from runway 03R.
This resulted in a loss of separation between the civilian airliner and the military jet. Spanish regulations prohibit simultaneous operations on runways 03L and 03R at Las Palmas due to the insufficient lateral distance between the runway centerlines.
The fourth F-16 in the formation did not take off and remained positioned at the threshold of runway 03R. This situation also constituted a loss of separation with the EasyJet aircraft as it continued its landing on runway 03L.
Outcome
Despite the proximity of the aircraft, the EasyJet A320neo continued the approach and landed safely on runway 03L without further incident. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Investigation
The CIAIAC classified the event as a serious incident and has opened a formal investigation. The inquiry will focus on air traffic control coordination, runway usage procedures, and compliance with regulations governing parallel runway operations at Las Palmas Airport.
The investigation is expected to examine how the military formation was cleared for takeoff while a commercial aircraft was on short final to the adjacent runway, as well as the safety barriers that failed to prevent the loss of separation.
