A medical evacuation flight transporting two patients infected with hantavirus was forced to land at Gando Airport on Gran Canaria on May 6, 2026, after Moroccan authorities denied permission for the aircraft to land in their territory, according to Spanish aviation sources.
The Learjet 45, registered as TC-RSD, had departed from an undisclosed location and was en route to a hospital when Morocco refused entry, citing unspecified concerns. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to the Canary Islands, where the patients received medical attention.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious viral disease transmitted through rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. It can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which has a high mortality rate. The patients' conditions were not disclosed.
Spanish authorities coordinated the diversion, and local health services on Gran Canaria were alerted to handle the potential biohazard. The incident highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco regarding airspace and medical emergencies.
