Spanish Flyover Reignites Tensions Over Gibraltar
The long-simmering dispute between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar flared up again recently after a Spanish military aircraft was reported flying over the British territory. The incident, which occurred on September 27th, involved a Spanish Air Force BARB 061 aircraft and was witnessed by Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). Adding to the tension, the flyover reportedly took place as a British Airways plane was taxiing on the runway at Gibraltar International Airport.
While seemingly minor, such incidents carry significant weight given the complex history of the two nations and their ongoing disagreement over Gibraltar’s sovereignty. The UK has held control of Gibraltar, a strategic rocky headland located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, since 1713. However, Spain has long maintained its claim to the territory, leading to periodic diplomatic clashes.
The UK Foreign Office was quick to respond to the flyover, confirming their awareness of the incident and promising a formal diplomatic protest to Spanish authorities. This latest episode comes at a particularly sensitive time, as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently met with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, during the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. The meeting, also attended by European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, included discussions on the future of Gibraltar, highlighting the issue’s prominence in UK-Spanish relations.
The flyover serves as a stark reminder of the unresolved tensions surrounding Gibraltar. It is likely to cast a shadow over future diplomatic talks, underscoring the fragility of the relationship between the two countries when it comes to this strategically important territory.
