This Saturday, August 20, marks the 14th anniversary of Spanair flight JK5022, which crashed at 2:24 PM during takeoff from Gran Canaria, near Barajas. A total of 154 people lost their lives and 18 were injured.
Every year, the Association of People Affected by Flight JK5022 observes this date with acts and flower offerings in Madrid and Gran Canaria to honor the victims. It stands as one of Spain’s most devastating air tragedies. For context, the deadliest aviation accident in the country remains the 1977 Los Rodeos collision between two commercial aircraft, which claimed 583 lives.
The airline declared bankruptcy in 2012 and the case was closed nine years later, but the Association of People Affected by Flight JK5022 continues campaigning for reforms in civil aviation safety and for the rights of those affected by air accidents.
In May of last year, the General Assembly of the Congress of Deputies endorsed the opinion of the Spanair JK5022 accident Investigation Commission. The report attributed a range of governmental and procedural factors linked to a systemic failure that contributed to the catastrophe.
The document highlights a sequence of causal factors and notes that Spanair was facing serious economic difficulties at the time. It states that maintenance crews and pilots faced pressure to meet punctual departure commitments, a pressure amplified by a recent ERE announced by the company. It also indicates that the extension of the damaged aircraft’s Airworthiness Certificate by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) occurred without a proper in‑depth inspection by the airline.
Additionally, the report points to a malfunction in the TOWS warning system that failed to detect misconfiguration, as well as the broader issue of how this problem appeared repeatedly on other aircraft, with Boeing reportedly unable or unwilling to fully explain the causes.
There is also contention that Aena’s contingency plan at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport did not operate as expected and that response measures were delayed on the day of the accident. As a result, critics argue that all safety barriers failed in the critical moments.
Among the recommendations is the call for a multimodal framework for investigation and prevention, involving all means of transport and including the work of victims, pilots, mechanics, and maritime workers.
security changes
The accident spurred a policy shift in aviation safety for Spain and broader Europe. In 2010, at Spain’s request, the European Parliament established an obligation for airlines to provide passenger lists within two hours in the event of an accident. The association pressed this issue to Europe, reflecting 30 hours of anxious waiting for the passenger list. Spain subsequently approved related measures in August 2013.
Alongside the Government Operational Security Program for Civil Aviation (PESO), Spain approved the Coordination Protocol for assistance to air crash victims and their families in May 2014, a Royal Decree recognizing the association’s work.
The European Network of Civil Aviation Security Investigative Authorities was established, and guidelines followed the final report of the Civil Aviation Accidents and Incidents Investigation Commission, which underscored the need to align with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations issued after the Spanair accident in 2008.
In terms of safety improvements, since the incident, Aena has invested significant resources in Barajas safety enhancements, including an updated emergency braking system on runways, new surface radar, an additional fire station, upgraded communications with the control tower and medical services, and better pavement and terrain management. A total of hundreds of drills were conducted to refine safety readiness.
flowers and poems
On Saturday, the Association of People Affected by Spanair Flight JK5022 will mark the fourteenth anniversary with two acts in Madrid and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. In Madrid, events will begin at 11:00 with a press conference at the monument in the rose garden of Juan Carlos I Park, where AVJK5022 will review progress made over the year and pay tribute to the victims.
The day continues at 12:30 with a visit to the bronze plates at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport and at the site of the tragedy, ending with a minute of silence.
In Las Palmas, activities are scheduled for 11:00 at Memory Square, featuring poetry readings, offerings, and a tribute to the victims.
Citations: Official findings and updates are attributed to the Spanair JK5022 Investigation Commission and subsequent parliamentary discussions, with ongoing advocacy from the affected community.