Alicante-Elche Airport, one of Spain's busiest hubs for British tourists, has been plunged into chaos following an emergency incident that forced authorities to completely shut down operations.
The dramatic closure occurred after emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of a serious incident on the runway. Video footage circulating on social media showed multiple emergency vehicles with flashing lights converging on the airport's main landing strip.
Total Airport Lockdown
According to official sources, the airport management made the unprecedented decision to cease all operations immediately. Both arrivals and departures have been affected, with flights being diverted to alternative airports or facing indefinite delays.
Passengers already inside the terminal reported growing confusion and frustration as announcements confirmed the complete suspension of flights. "We were about to board when suddenly everything stopped," said one British tourist. "No one's telling us what's happening or when we might leave."
Peak Season Disruption
The timing couldn't be worse for the thousands of British holidaymakers travelling to the popular Costa Blanca region. August represents one of the busiest months for the airport, which serves as the main gateway to Benidorm and other coastal resorts.
Airport authorities have established an emergency protocol, advising all passengers to contact their airlines directly for updated information about their flights. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate indication of when normal operations might resume.
Emergency Response
Witnesses reported seeing numerous fire engines, police vehicles, and medical teams responding to the incident. The scale of the emergency response suggests a serious situation, though official details remain scarce at this early stage.
Travel experts are warning of significant knock-on effects throughout the day, even if the situation is resolved quickly. "This kind of complete shutdown creates a domino effect that can disrupt schedules for hours, if not days," explained an aviation analyst.
