An ex-Cathay Pacific Airbus A330 has been completely destroyed by fire at Ciudad Real Airport, Spain. The A330 caught fire while it was parked in long-term storage.
The former Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300, with registration B-HLH, had been stored at the airport since 2020, as reported by Planespotters. The 28.3-year-old aircraft was reportedly awaiting to be scrapped.
The fire broke out around noon local time and was extinguished by firefighters from Ciudad Real and Puertollano within a few hours. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the incident.
Firefighters responded quickly to the incident, arriving at the scene shortly after the fire was reported.
Footage shared on the internet shows the firefighters working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other aircraft stored at the airport. The fire caused a large plume of black smoke that was visible from the city of Ciudad Real.
The head of the airport mentioned that it’s the first time they’ve had to address airport infrastructure issues due to a fire.
However, he recalled that since its inauguration, they have conducted a comprehensive drill every two years, involving representatives from State Security Forces, health agencies, and others, to prepare for all possible scenarios.
Ciudad Real Airport
Ciudad Real Airport is a former commercial airport located in central Spain. The airport ceased commercial operations in 2011 and is now primarily used for aircraft maintenance, storage, and training purposes.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. This is an ongoing investigation, and more information will likely be released in the coming days.
Feature Image via JACDEC