A flight from London Gatwick to Tenerife South Airport was given priority landing clearance yesterday afternoon (Thursday) after crew members reported that 12 disruptive passengers were causing problems on board and requested police to be present upon landing.

According to Spanish air traffic controllers, the incident unfolded on easyJet flight number EZY8035 while the aircraft was en route to Tenerife.

Given the number of people involved and concerns about safety, controllers immediately coordinated with authorities on the ground and requested a police presence at the aircraft stand upon arrival. Officers were asked to identify and remove the passengers as soon as the aircraft landed.

Priority Landing Granted

To help bring the situation to a swift conclusion and minimise any potential risk to passengers and crew, air traffic controllers prioritised the flight’s arrival into Tenerife South Airport.

Controllers explained that they shortened the aircraft’s approach as much as possible, allowing the flight a more direct route to the runway and reducing the time spent in the air.

The procedure, commonly used in situations requiring operational priority, enabled the aircraft to descend and land more quickly than under normal traffic conditions.

Safe Arrival in Tenerife

Despite the tensions reported on board, the aircraft landed safely at Tenerife South Airport without further incident.

At the time of publication, authorities had not released details regarding the nature of the disturbance, the identities of those involved, or whether any arrests were made following the aircraft’s arrival.

The incident is the latest in a series of flights arriving in Tenerife that have required intervention from authorities due to disruptive passenger behaviour, an issue that continues to pose challenges for airlines and airport operators across Europe.

Passengers travelling to and from the Canary Islands are reminded that disruptive behaviour on board an aircraft can result in police action, substantial fines, and potential criminal prosecution.