Air Arabia Moroc's Wild, Fake Diversion To Mallorca

Probably orchestrated. The concern now is if this sets a precedent that others would later follow. And if so, should we have a framework to mitigate future events?

I am a bit surprised by the fact that you are surprised. Maybe it is because you live in US as an american and never interacted with illegal immigrants who went through worse stuff to get to the US. Some people cross oceans with a tiny boat or walk through a desert to make this happen, so faking a medical sickness is probably easier. Would you be sruprised if cabin crew did not show up for her work during layver? hmmm, happens more often than you think....Some people go through years of training the cladder climbing to be a crew in a flight to US or EU. It is a lot easier to run off from an airplan on tarmac than crossing mediterranean sea. What I am surprised is that the spanish authorities didn't have the preparedness for diverted aircrafts...

Not the first time a fake illness has been used to try and circumvent immigration laws. I've sadly had to deal with this personally at least twice in the past with people who subsequently made miraculous recoveries and refugee claims. Of course not on the scale of this incident, but it doesn't surprise me.

Quick correction! the plane didnt continue on to Istanbul, the plane actually returned to Casablanca.

Google the articles about how refugees in Morocco regularly try and force their way into Ceuta and Melilla, which are Spanish cities *within* Morocco, so they can then claim asylum.

That requires them to be pretty fit, willing to assault a high wall/fence, and probably get hurt much of the time.

At least this scheme can be attempted with only a plane ticket.

I assume this happened after dark when it would be easier to hide on the apron.
Airport authorities will have to devise protocols to prevent a re-occurrence.

If this happens again it will require a rethinking of much of worldwide protocol, possibly a massive police response to any sick passenger diversion.
I still remember the beginning of preflight security security as a result of depressed Cuban immigrants wanting to return to Cuba the easy way. It might be hard to imagine but there was no security prior to those Cuban.....

LOL, those illegal immigrant was either unlucky or it was bad planning. They ended up on an island rather than the continent. At least it was Mallorca not Ibiza. If it was Ibiza all would have been caught by now.

This reminds me of all the times Pakistan International Airlines flight attendants have mysteriously disappeared, whereas in fact they have very likely broken free of their employer’s clutches and started a new life.

I would imagine they were hoping and planning for a diversion to a mainland airport. Landing on an island was probably not exactly ideal for this, lol.

The word in the title is not Moroc, but Maroc.

Can anyone recommend a nice "security beach" in the US? Thanks x

The strangest non-diversion was when terrorists took over IAD's control tower to free a Central American drug lord dictator in custody. All incoming flights circled the airport for hours rather than fly into nearby Baltimore. An off duty NYPD officer saved the day.

Please...do you still dare to insinuate that such a scam, exploiting the openness of a democratic country as Spain...,migth have been true? That perhaps someone was truly ill? Ple-a-se. Stop rigth there. Try such a scam in Morocco. Come on.

I am afraid this will set an example. It might not be the most popular opinion but I feel that given the strict rules and penalties put on legal migration for war refugees from Syria and Afghanistan alike. Geneva laws permit air travel for refugees but EU penalties will punish airlines granting such a right to proven refugees. This means a normal passage which would cost probably less than 500 Euro to a safe country is then shifted to criminal organizations selling the illegal passage for 10.000 Euro. Each year thousands die because of this. It would be easy for the EU to organize legal migration of those needing it, and may be find ways for those not fleeing from a war. It’s just not meant to take place. Until then we will see more of such stories.

Is it hard to get a tourist visa from Morocco to a Schengen country? Considering these people had passports and means to book an international flight, why not just overstay a visa? I assume they'll be giving Spain all their passport info anyways...

A german tabloid reported on this incident, explaining how it was planned. The newsoutlet BILD displayed the detailed description that was shared via social media on how to force a plane to land by faking a medical condition. So running away while the plane was parked was indeed not a spontaneous decision by a few, but consequence of careful planning.

This is all was orchestrated according to the Moroccan news press and since August they were planning it on Facebook group, equipped with GPS for the exact location of the plane and also they were evenly distributed across the plane to not attract attention , can't wait to see this adventure become a movie one day ! Why not

Very inventive economic migrants, to be fair.

If this had happened in the United States, no effort whatsoever would be being made to apprehend those who had fled and entered the country illegally. Increasingly the US feels like a failed state.

Its one thing to get a visa for Turkey (or use on-arrival) and another for Schengen.

The checks for flights departing to Schengen, UK, US etc are always stricter than to most other countries.

Holding a "weak" passport, I can tell you our experiences are not as pleasant as others who can travel at will and get on-arrival or no-visa needed.

And from my own experience living in certain parts of the world, you will be surprised at the human will for people to run away from the chaos of their home country for a peaceful life.

Cheers!

Are you joking?

Look at the southern border.

Yippee Ki Yay, MOFO.

Very interesting, I thought they used Airshow or sextant from the window and not a real GPS, so they ended up on an island.

All planned in a facebook group. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/11/345415/a-moroccan-facebook-group-staged-great-escape-in-spain-airport

I guess you've spent significant time in failed states then to understand this comparison?

It's quite difficult to get a tourist visa from Morocco to a Schengen country without elite connections.

+1 yep for sure the UAE budget airline Air Arabia sells flights 150$ Round Trip
Between Morocco & Turkey there is 4 airlines 2 of them are Low Cost carriers AIr Arabia and Peagasus.