Flights in and out of Alicante Airport have now resumed a normal service after facing disruption for two days following a large fire on Wednesday afternoon.

Photos and videos on social media showed flames coming from part of the roof and large plumes of smoke being sent into the sky.

The Spanish airport was evacuated leading to flights being either cancelled, diverted or delayed.

Chaos continued on Thursday after the airport was closed in the morning.

Flights in both arrivals and departures were affected - with some airlines diverting passengers to Murcia International Airport.

The airport gradually reopened from 2pm.

On Friday morning, flights have been operating as normal at Alicante Airport, with officials stating they have 189 flights scheduled - with no restrictions to air traffic.

We'll have the latest information on the incident and how flights are being affected here.

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'100 per cent operational'

Alicante Airport is completely back to normal, running at ‘100 per cent of its operational capacity’.

In a statement on Twitter, they shared: “The airport of Alicante - Elche is 100% of its operational capacity.

“Some shops and restaurants, as well as the VIP lounge, located near the fire place on the terminal deck, are closed.”

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Some minor delays to departures

The departures board at Alicante Airport looks very different on Friday morning as flights are lit up in green and listed as on time.

However, there are just two flights displayed in yellow and listed as delayed with British airline Ryanair. But these are only minor.

Ryanair flight FR8297 heading to Bristol (BRS) was scheduled for 10.20am, however it is expected to depart at 10.35am.

Ryanair flight FR8383 heading to London (STN) was scheduled for 10.45pm, however it is expected to depart at 11am.

The full list of departures can be viewed here.

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Alicante arrivals all on time but one

The arrivals board at Alicante Airport looks very different on Friday morning as flights are lit up in green and listed as on time.

However the Ryanair flight FR5579 from Edinburgh that was scheduled to arrive at 11.25am is marked as delayed - with an expected delay of 95 minutes.

It should arrive into Alicante at 1pm.

You can read the full arrivals board here.

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Flights running without delay

Alicante Airport appears to be operating as normal on Friday morning.

Their arrivals and departures board has flights scheduled for on time, with few delays to departures.

In a statement on Twitter, they said the airport will have already operated 20 flights before 9am, with a total of 189 flights scheduled for today.

They have reported no restrictions to air traffic.

The post read: “Today 189 flights are scheduled at the Airport Alicante - Elche and there are no operational restrictions to air traffic.

“The airport has operated about twenty flights until 9:00 a.m.”

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Latest update from Alicante Airport

Alicante Airport has said six flights have already flown since its gradual reopening after 2pm this afternoon.

But a number of flights are still scheduled to fly from other airports, with 48 from Murcia International Airport, and a further 14 from Valencia Airport.

In a statement on Twitter, they shared: “The airport of Alicante - Elche has already operated 6 flights.

“They are also being operated from other airports in the Aena network. At 4.15pm:

“International Airport Regiónde Murcia 48

“The airport of Valencia 14

“Confirm with your airline the status of your flight.”

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First flights landing at Alicante

The first flights are now landing at Alicante following the full closure of the airport earlier.

Alicante Airport started to reopen gradually from 2pm local time and flights are expected to be back to normal shortly.

The airport is still advising passengers who fly to or from Alicante later today to check with their airline for any delays or diversions.

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Flights between ALC and MAN

Departing from ALC

Jet2 flight LS880 from Alicante Airport to Manchester Airport was scheduled for 3.05pm.

The flight has been redirected and will now fly from Murcia (Corvera) RMU with an expected two-hour delay, departing at 5.10pm.

Therefore, it is now expected to arrive into Manchester at 7.05pm.

A statement on Jet2’s website says: “Due to a serious fire affecting Alicante Airport your flight will now be departing from Murcia (Corvera) airport.

“Please make your way to Institucion Ferial Alicantia (IFA) Carretera N-340 03320 Elche Alicante located close to Alicante airport a minimum of one hour prior to your original scheduled departure time to allow sufficient time to transport you to Murcia (Corvera) airport. “Or if making your own travel arrangements please go directly to Murcia Corvera Airport, check in desks are 9 - 13 just in front of the main doors.”

Ryanair flight FR4028 is scheduled to depart at 8.55pm and arrive into MAN at 10.50pm - without delay.

Arriving to ALC

Ryanair flight FR4027 is expected to depart on time from MAN at 4.30pm, with an expected arrival to ALC at 8.20pm.

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Advice for passengers from Ryanair

Ryanair says it is running some flights to and from Murcia Airport today and passengers affected will be notified by text and email of any changes.

A spokesperson told the MEN:

“Due to a fire in a departure terminal affecting all airlines, Alicante Airport remains partially closed today (16 Jan). A small number of Ryanair flights will operate from Murcia Airport as a result of this closure.

“All impacted customers were notified by email and SMS message, and have been advised to make their way to Murcia Airport. Customers arriving in Murcia Airport will be coached to Alicante.

“Ryanair apologised for these schedule changes, which are completely outside of the airline’s control.”

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Passenger flying from Manchester Airport praises Jet2 as 'fab'

A passenger flying with Jet2 from Manchester Airport to Alicante Airport has been redirected to Murcia.

She has praised the efforts of the British airline about how they have handled the incident, stating they have been ‘fab’.

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Worry over rental car drop-offs

Some worried travellers posting to social media have been trying to get in touch with their car rental companies.

One man was turned away at the terminal entrance when attempting to drop off his vehicle, while another questions where they are meant to drop theirs off because they now have to fly from Murcia airport.

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Latest update from Alicante Airport

Alicante Airport will be reopening soon but is warning that some flights scheduled for this afternoon will be operating from alternative airport. The latest advice is to contact your airline directly for the most up-to-date information.

The latest update reads: “The reopening of the Alicante Airport will be progressive and the airlines are reorganizing their programming.

“Some flights have been scheduled at other airports.

“Important: CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINE THE STATUS OF YOUR FLIGHT.”

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Information for Jet2 passengers due to fly out of Alicante

Four Jet2 flights to the UK are now scheduled to depart from Murcia International Airport instead of Alicante.

Transport from Alicante to Murcia has been arranged but passengers will need to arrive at the airport by the times listed below to use it.

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Arrivals between 12pm - 2pm

Alicante Airport’s arrival board has flights listed as on time, despite Aena stating the airport will be closed until at least 2pm.

It is advised that travellers, and those expecting travellers to arrive at the airport , to double check their flight status with their individual airline.

As stated on Alicante’s arrivals board:


Delayed

Moscow (SVO) Air Europa UX3653 - 12pm

Moscow (SVO) Aeroflot SU2522 - 12pm

Dusseldorf (DUS) Eurowings EW9530 - 1.20pm

Munich (MUC) Norwegian Air International D85409 - 2pm

On time

Birmingham (BHX) Jet2 LS1215 - 12.25pm

Milan (BGY) Ryanair FR9065 - 12.55pm

London (STN) Jet2 LS1411 - 1.05pm

Algiers (ALG) Air Algerie AH2004 - 1.15pm

Scheduled

Madrid (MAD) American Airlines AA8583 - 1.05pm

Madrid (MAD) Cathay Pacific CX1821 - 1.05pm

Madrid (MAD) IberiaI B8860 1.05pm

Madrid (MAD) Qatar Airways QR6528 1.05pm

Redirected

Brussels (BRU) Ryanair FR2933 - 1.30pm

London (LGW) Ryanair FR2715 - 1.55pm

Dublin (DUB) Ryanair FR7062 - 2pm

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Some flights are being diverted to and from Murcia International Airport

A number of scheduled flights will be flying to and from Murcia International Airport while Alicante Airport remains closed.

Murcia International Airport plans to carry out 39 scheduled flights today on behalf Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.

Murcia International Airport is located around 75km south of Alicante.

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Cancelled departures

Manchester (MAN) Ryanair FR4006 - 11.05am

Cork (ORK) Ryanair FR4156 - 11.10am

Liverpool (LPL) Ryanair FR9887 - 11.25am

London (LGW) easyJet U28662 - 11.35am

Stockholm (NYO) Ryanair FR7423 - 11.55am

Edinburgh (EDI) Ryanair FR5578 - 12pm

Lisbon (LIS) Azul AD7212 - 12pm

Lisbon (LIS) Etihad Airways EY1534 - 12pm

Lisbon (LIS) TAP Air Portugal TP1123 - 12pm

Birmingham (BHX) Ryanair FR4556 - 12.20pm

Birmingham (BHX) Jet2 LS1216 - 1.25pm

Milan (BGY) Ryanair FR9064 - 1.30pm

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Flight changes to arrivals

Redirected flights

Newcastle (NCL) easyJet U26417 - 11am - redirected to arrive at Corvera International Airport

Stockholm (NYO) Ryanair FR7422 - 11.20am

Edinburgh (EDI) Ryanair FR5579 - 11.25am

Birmingham (BHX) Ryanair FR4555 - 11.45am

According to Alicante’s website, Tenerife (TFN) Vueling VY3103 - 11am - has landed on time, along with Tenerife (TFN) Iberia IB5315 - 11am.

Cancelled flights

Lisbon (LIS) Azul AD7283 - 11.20am

Lisbon (LIS) Etihad Airways EY1533 - 11.20am

Lisbon (LIS)TAP Air Portugal TP1122 - 11.20am

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Alicante Airport closed

The airport operator has confirmed Alicante Airport remains closed until at least 2pm this afternoon. They have warned travellers to not head to the airport and for passengers to contact their airline.

In a statement on Twitter, they said: “The opening of the Airport of #Alicante - #Elche at least until 2:00 p.m.

“We will update information at 11:00 a.m.”

“Please do not go to the Airport and contact your airline.”

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For more information

That concludes tonight’s coverage of this incident. For all the latest departures and arrivals from Alicante Airport, visit the website here.

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Latest delays and cancellations

From Alicante to UK

Ryanair flight FR2714 from Alicante to London Gatwick has been cancelled.

Ryanair flight FR9078 from Alicante to Leeds Bradford was scheduled to arrive at at 5.40pm but is now expected to arrive at 12.30am.

easyJet flight EZY 7124 from Alicante to Liverpool was due to arrive at 10.40pm, but is now expected at 12.55am.

To Alicante from UK

easyJet flight U27123 from Liverpool to Alicante was redirected and will land at Corvera International Airport

Ryanair flight FR2715 from London Gatwick Airport to Alicante was scheduled to depart at 5.35pm but is now expected to set off at 5.55pm.

easyJet flight EZY8667 from London Gatwick to Alicante was redirected and will land at Corvera International Airport

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Update from Alicante Airport warns of some cancellations

Alicante Airport is warning that some scheduled flights have had to be cancelled.

The latest update reads: “Due to the fire at the Airport #Alicant - #Elche cancellations are occurring.

“Please check with your airline to check the status of your flight.

“We are working with companies and firefighters to restore normalcy as soon as possible.

“We apologize for the inconvenience.”

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Flights to Alicante from UK airports

There appears to be only one upcoming flight delayed for passengers flying out to Alicante from UK airports tonight.

Ryanair flight FR2715 from London Gatwick Airport to Alicante has been delayed by 30 minutes. It was scheduled to depart at 5.35pm but is now expected to set off at 6.05pm.

easyJet flight EZY8667 from London Gatwick to Alicante is scheduled to depart on time at 5.45pm.

Flights from Leicestershire and Leeds, scheduled for this evening, are expected to be on time.

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Later flights could also be delayed

easyJet flight EZY 7124 from Alicante to Liverpool has also been delayed slightly. It was due to arrive at 10.40pm, but is now expected at 12.45am.

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Delays to UK airports

Flights from Alicante to the UK this evening are seeing major delays following the fire.

Two flights expected to land in London and Leeds tonight have been delayed by around six hours. They are:

  • Ryanair flight FR2714 is scheduled to arrive at London Gatwick Airport at 5pm but is expected to arrive at 11pm.
  • Ryanair flight FR9078 is scheduled to arrive at Leeds Bradford Airport at 5.40pm but is expected to arrive at 11.40pm.
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Diversions

Four flights have had to land elsewhere so far.

Three flights have been diverted via Murcia International Airport, while one other has been diverted via Valencia Airport.

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Some passengers allowed to board flights, others held outside

A spokesman for the airport operator confirmed part of the roof of the terminal near to the departure lounge had caught fire, although the blaze is said to have originated in offices below.

It is understood only passengers who had already checked in their luggage and gone through passport controls and were waiting in departure lounges are being allowed to board flights.

Other passengers are still being held outside the terminal with reports suggesting the terminal is being ventilated of smoke.

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Flights arriving now on time

Flights arriving to Alicante Airport are now landing on time.

The first flight to arrive on time since the fire broke out was the FR8539 Ryanair flight from Santiago De Compostela, which landed at 3.15pm.

Scheduled arrivals for later this afternoon are also listed as ‘on time’.

You can see the full list of arrivals here.

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Firefighters in action

These photographs shared by Air Plus News to Twitter show firefighters attending the scene - with one image capturing the flames tearing through the airport’s roof.

A snapshot taken from afar shows thick, black smoke spreading across the blue sky above the airport.

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Are flights affected at Manchester Airport?

There were four departures to Alicante Airport (ALC) today, however these all flew before the fire broke out, with the last flight at 10.40am this morning.

In terms of arrivals, again no flights are affected as the last arrival from ALC to MAN was at 1pm.

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Flight delays

There are number of delays at Alicante Airport including flights that have already landed, and those that are still en route.

Destinations include Lisbon, Gothenburg, Brussels, Oslo, and Dublin.

Flight FR2714 scheduled for London at 3.20pm is delayed by 40 minutes with an expected departure time of 4pm.

Full list of departures and delays here.

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'Travellers herded into a corner'

One passenger who is waiting to board a flight at Alicante Airport said ‘passengers were herded into a corner without a single alarm going off.’

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