FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

All arrivals and departures out of Madrid–Barajas Airport in the Spanish capital has been suspended. A spokesman at the airport has confirmed it has "stopped operations to Barajas" after detecting the "presence of drones in the immediate vicinity of the airport”. Online flight tracking tool, FlightRadar, has also confirmed there are no flights in the sky and all aircrafts are grounded.

Spanish airport operator AENA said 17 flights have had to be rerouted away from the airspace. Aviation Analyst Alex Macheras wrote on Twitter: “Madrid Barajas airport has suspended all departures/arrivals following a possible drone sighting.” A number of furious passengers have taken to social media whilst being grounded on the runway.

A major airport in Madrid has suspended flight after reports of a drone

Reports of a drone has caused travel chaos in the Spanish capital

One passenger wrote on Twitter: “Waiting on the runway at Madrid Airport waiting for flight to depart.. drone sighting by ATC so no takeoff in sight…” A second passenger said: “Idiot flying a drone at Madrid airport, let’s hope they get them quickly otherwise I could be sitting on this plane for a long time!!” The airport is not expected to be open until at least 1.40pm GMT. According to the European resource for civil drone operators, users of recreational drone must not “operate in clouds, above crowds, industrial sites, urban areas and other restricted areas”. READ MORE: Pilot reveals the truth about plane turbulence - should you worry?

Several flights near Madrid airspace had to be re-routed