Passengers are experiencing significant disruption as Alicante-Elche Airport in eastern Spain has been closed due to reported drone activity in the vicinity. The closure has resulted in the diversion of at least nine flights, with no arrivals or departures permitted until further notice. Authorities are currently investigating the situation, with police deploying a specialist aerial unit to locate the drones, which are believed to be in the Torrellano area. A spokesperson for the airport stated, "For now, there is no further information about it. Here in the area, nothing can be seen, but they need to ensure it is safe to operate again." The Spanish airport operator Aena confirmed that Ryanair flights from London, Manchester, Newcastle, Durham, and Frankfurt have all been diverted until 11pm local time. Diverted flights are being redirected to nearby airports, including Valencia, Murcia, and Palma de Mallorca. In an update, the airport announced that operations would resume shortly before 11pm, with the first flight, an Air Europa service bound for Madrid Barajas, beginning to taxi to the runway. Aena communicated via X, stating, "Due to the presence of a #drone in the vicinity of the #Alicante-#Elche Miguel Hernández #Airport, flight diversions are occurring. We are working together with the Security Forces to normalise operations as soon as possible. Check with your airline for the status of your flight." This incident follows a similar occurrence earlier this month at Palma de Mallorca Airport, where several flights were also diverted due to drone sightings. FlightRadar24 reported that operations at Palma were suspended after air crew on at least six planes reported seeing a drone, prompting emergency measures. Passengers on a Ryanair flight from Madrid to Palma recounted that cabin crew informed them of a drone sighting as they approached landing, leading to their diversion to Ibiza. One passenger shared with Diario de Mallorca, "Diverted planes like ours have had to stop to refuel and so we don’t know yet when we are going to be able to take off again." The ongoing drone disruptions have raised concerns, as many airports across Europe have faced similar issues, with some attributing the interference to potential malicious activities. Authorities continue to work towards ensuring the safety and normalisation of flight operations.