11:27, Thu, Jan 15, 2026 Updated: 12:49, Thu, Jan 15, 2026
(File picture) A Turkish Airlines plane has been surrounded by police officers in Spain (Image: Getty)
The Spanish Civil Guard is investigating a suspected terrorist threat on a Turkish Airlines plane that landed at El Prat Airport, it has been reported.
According to the initial reports, a Turkish Airlines jet set off from Istanbul airport on Thursday morning and landed at El Prat Airport around 11 am. The plane was escorted by Spanish and French warplanes over the Mediterranean Sea, according to El Nacional. The aircraft, an A-321 , circled several times before landing on runway 2 at El Prat Airport. There were 148 passengers and a crew of seven on board , according to sources. Some sources claim the plane was escorted by Spanish and French military aircraft , including fighter jets, after the threat was detected over the Mediterranean Sea
The incident occurred at El Prat Airport (Image: Getty)
A spokesperson from the airport told The Express: "The airport is operating normally. Due to a threat on a flight, security protocols have been activated, and security forces are assessing the situation."
Catalonia’s government announced that it had activated the Aerocat plan, a special protocol for aeronautical emergencies, to assess a potential risk involving a flight that had landed at El Prat.
Videos shared online showed numerous police officers, airport security personnel, and at least one ambulance positioned on the tarmac beside the aircraft.
Several officers carrying weapons were visible standing alongside the plane, and a sniffer dog was seen inspecting passengers’ luggage.
According to the reports, all passengers have now been transferred to the airport's contingency room in the airside area, where efforts are underway to notify families and passport control is being carried out to prevent irregular entries into the country.
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No injuries or other incidents have been reported, according to initial information.
The Express has contacted Turkish Airlines for a comment.