The incident centers on a claim of disturbing public order that led to a high-profile court appearance. The case is set to be heard in a major court this Monday, where the defendant faces serious charges. The alleged threat originated from a message sent via Snapchat while the individual was at London Gatwick Airport, preparing to board a flight to Menorca. The message claimed, with a provocative tone, that the sender was planning to pilot a plane and asserted an association with a militant group. In the days that followed, authorities determined that the message was not a legitimate threat but a false alarm with potentially serious consequences for aviation safety and national security.
In response, the prosecutor has asked the National Court, specifically the Central Criminal Court, to impose substantial penalties on the accused, a British citizen referenced as AV. The proposed sanctions include a fine totaling 22,500 euros and an additional 94,782 euros to be paid to the Ministry of Defense to cover the costs incurred by the Spanish Air Force. The expenses relate to the operation of a Eurofighter jet that was dispatched to escort a commercial plane on its approach to Menorca after the alleged threat was detected.
The prosecution notes that the sequence of events began at the Gatwick check-in as AV prepared to travel to Menorca. It is alleged that the individual sent a Snapchat message to the group of fellow travelers, including a private recipient, that described a plan to fly a plane and claimed membership in a militant organization. The message reportedly depicted the speaker in a photo, accompanying the assertion about the flight plan and affiliation. The content of the message prompted security services in the United Kingdom to intervene and notify Spanish authorities due to the potential risk to the flight and nearby airspace.
As the search and response unfolded, the Palma de Mallorca air traffic control center alerted the coordination chief at Menorca Airport that the Gatwick-originating flight was being escorted by a Eurofighter jet because of concerns about a bomb threat. The response involved a rapid deployment of military assets to ensure the safety of the aircraft, its passengers, and the surrounding airspace until the situation was resolved. The aircraft subsequently landed safely at Menorca Airport just before 5:00 p.m., marking the culmination of a tense and precautionary operation that mobilized multiple agencies across borders.
The financial footprint of the incident extended beyond immediate security measures. The Spanish Air Force faced real costs associated with activating the fighter escort, and the case has drawn attention to the broader implications of false threats on aviation operations and national defense resources. The court proceedings will examine whether AV’s actions constitute a criminal offense and what level of accountability is warranted in light of the alleged deception and the disruption caused to international air traffic. The outcome will address not only the penalty but also the responsibility for repaying the operational costs incurred by the defense forces involved in safeguarding the flight and passengers.