A bizarre and alarming incident unfolded at a Spanish airport when a man climbed onto the roof of a passenger plane, delaying a flight for two hours. The disruption happened Saturday evening at shortly before a scheduled departure to Amsterdam.
Video filmed by a passenger shows the man shouting at ground staff, running across the top of the aircraft, and mocking pleas for him to come down. Authorities later identified him as a 24 year old Moroccan national.
Incident Caught on Camera
The man climbed onto a Airbus A320 around 6 p.m. local time. Footage shows him tapping his chest, dancing, and placing his fingers in his ears as if refusing to listen to staff below.
At one point, he opened a drink from his backpack and consumed it while standing on the aircraft’s fuselage. The episode lasted at least 10 minutes as passengers watched from inside the cabin.
Flight Delayed, Authorities Intervene
The flight to Amsterdam was delayed by nearly two hours as airport officials worked to resolve the situation. Officers from Spain’s Civil Guard were called after reports that air safety regulations had been violated.
Authorities eventually convinced the man to come down peacefully. Officers confirmed he was not carrying any weapons, and medical personnel were also called to the scene as a precaution.
Spanish Airports and Air Navigation said the man did not pose a direct threat to passenger safety.
Aircraft Inspected Before Departure
After the man was removed, the aircraft underwent a full safety inspection. Maintenance crews from Vueling examined the upper fuselage and confirmed there was no damage.
The flight was later cleared for departure once all safety checks were completed. Airport officials and the airline have been contacted for further comment.
Part of a Wider Pattern of Disruptive Behavior
The incident came just days after another major disruption aboard an international flight in Southeast Asia. On an AirAsia flight from Vietnam to Thailand, a man reportedly undressed, threatened crew members, and attempted to open the aircraft door mid flight.
That plane was forced to make an emergency landing, and the man was later arrested by Thai police. Aviation experts say such incidents highlight growing concerns over passenger behavior and the strain placed on airline staff.
Security Questions Raised
While airport officials insist safety procedures worked as intended, the incident has renewed questions about how individuals gain access to restricted aircraft areas on the ground.
No charges have yet been announced in the Valencia case. The investigation remains ongoing, according to Spanish authorities.
Coverage of the incident has been reported by Reuters and aviation officials cited by BBC News.