MADRID- Pope Leo XIV’s week-long apostolic visit to Spain ended with an unexpected aviation setback after the specially designated Iberia (IB) Airbus A320, intended to return him to Rome, suffered a technical malfunction in Tenerife.
The aircraft issue forced Spanish authorities to activate an alternative transport plan, with a Spanish Air Force VIP jet ultimately carrying the Pope back to Italy.
The incident occurred at Tenerife North Airport (TFN) on June 12, following the conclusion of Pope Leo’s official engagements in the Canary Islands.
While the disruption delayed the departure of the papal delegation, Spanish officials quickly arranged an alternative solution to ensure the Pontiff’s return journey proceeded safely.
Iberia Aircraft Failure Delays Departure
Pope Leo arrived in Spain on June 6 for a nationwide pastoral tour that included visits to Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (LPA), and Tenerife (TFN).
Throughout the visit, Iberia (IB) operated a specially prepared Airbus A320 that transported the Pope, Vatican officials, and accredited media representatives between destinations.
The aircraft featured several custom elements created specifically for the visit. Iberia installed headrest covers displaying the Vatican seal and added the papal shield to the aircraft’s fuselage, highlighting the airline’s role in supporting the historic journey.
On Friday, the Pope traveled from Madrid to Gran Canaria before continuing to Tenerife, where he visited the Las Raíces migrant reception center. He also met organizations dedicated to migrant integration and community support.
Following the completion of these engagements, Pope Leo and his delegation boarded the Iberia Airbus A320, registered EC-MDK, for the scheduled flight to Rome. However, shortly before departure, the flight crew identified a technical issue affecting one of the aircraft’s systems.
Spanish King Steps In To Help
As the delay extended beyond the scheduled departure time, Spanish authorities implemented a contingency plan. Fortunately, a Dassault Falcon 900 operated by the 45th Wing of the Spanish Air Force was available nearby and prepared for VIP transport missions.
The aircraft was positioned at Tenerife North Airport and quickly became the preferred alternative for the Pope’s return to Rome.
Due to the Falcon 900’s significantly smaller capacity compared with the Airbus A320, only Pope Leo and a limited number of senior aides could travel on the aircraft, PYOK flagged.
Impact on Delegation and Media
The remainder of the papal delegation could not be accommodated aboard the Falcon 900. As a result, Vatican officials, support staff, and accompanying media representatives remained in Tenerife while Iberia arranged a replacement aircraft.
The airline dispatched another Airbus from Madrid to the Canary Islands later that evening. Once the aircraft arrived, the remaining members of the delegation were expected to continue their journey to Rome.
The breakdown represented an unfortunate conclusion to a visit that had otherwise showcased Iberia’s extensive preparations for the papal tour.
Beyond the customized aircraft, the airline developed a special onboard menu inspired by Spanish cuisine and created unique boarding music performed by the renowned Escolanía de El Escorial choir.
Iberia maintains a longstanding relationship with the Holy See and traditionally handles domestic transportation for papal visits within Spain.
While Pope Leo typically travels internationally aboard aircraft operated by ITA Airways, Spain’s flag carrier continues to play a key role whenever the Pontiff undertakes official journeys across Spanish territory.
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