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High-Stakes Skies: Traffickers Reportedly Adopting Aerial Tactics at Spanish Border

Supported

Claim checked

“Spain’s North African exclave of Ceuta is facing mounting pressure at its borders, with authorities warning that traffickers are now training migrants to use paragliders to fly into the territory in a bid to evade traditional controls.”

Published

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Verdict

Supported

The claim that Moroccan traffickers are training migrants to use paragliders to enter the Spanish exclave of Ceuta is supported.

Reports from Spanish security sources and regional news outlets confirm that this "aerial route" has emerged as a new tactic to bypass heavily fortified land borders. While still considered a rare method compared to traditional sea or land crossings, authorities have documented multiple specific incidents, including a successful flight in late 2025 and a failed attempt in February 2026 where a migrant became stranded on the border fence.

4 reviewed sources behind this verdict.

Reasoning

The verdict is based on consistent reporting from multiple outlets citing Spanish Civil Guard sources and visual evidence.

  • Documented Incidents: Morocco World News confirmed the first successful paraglider crossing in October 2025, where a migrant landed in the Sidi Ibrahim area. La Gaceta and Remix News reported a subsequent failed attempt in February 2026 and the discovery of abandoned equipment near the El Príncipe neighborhood.
  • Evidence of Training: Security sources cited by La Gaceta claim to have obtained images of training sessions and monitored messaging groups with tens of thousands of members where these tactics are discussed.
  • Statistical Context: The reported increase in migration pressure is corroborated by figures showing over 2,000 illegal entries in Ceuta during the first four months of 2026, a fourfold increase over the previous year.

While the method requires a level of skill that limits its widespread use, the physical evidence (abandoned gliders) and official warnings from the Civil Guard regarding the "air component" of border security validate the core of the claim.

Key checks

  • Evidence of paraglider training: Security sources and media reports indicate that traffickers are using messaging groups to share footage of paragliding training sessions intended for migrants.

  • Documented paragliding entries: At least one successful crossing was recorded in October 2025, and a failed attempt occurred in February 2026. Authorities have identified at least four cases across Ceuta and Melilla.

  • 2026 migration statistics: Civil Guard data cited in April 2026 indicates over 2,000 illegal entries in Ceuta for the year, representing a 400% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Confidence

High

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