EasyJet flight arriving late. Credit: Michael Derrer Fuchs – Shutterstock
Pilots were reportedly forced to wear oxygen masks as their EasyJet aircraft approached Costa del Sol airport in Malaga late last night. Passengers aboard the easyJet flight from Bristol to Malaga faced a terrifying end to their journey after smoke was reported inside the aircraft as it flew over the Malaga Province.
The Airbus A320-214, operating flight EZY63KQ, triggered an emergency response at Malaga Airport after the crew reported smoke in the cabin. Spanish air traffic controllers reported the incident on social media, describing it as an “emergency situation due to smoke in cabin” during the aircraft’s arrival into Malaga.
The report also stated that both pilots were wearing oxygen masks, adding to the seriousness of the incident. For passengers on board, what should have been a routine flight to the Costa del Sol would have become an extremely frightening experience, particularly as the aircraft began its approach to Malaga.
Smoke reported as plane approached Malaga
Situación de Urgencia por humo en cabina en llegada a #Málaga.
SafetyFirst ✅️ #ControladoresAéreos #aviación pic.twitter.com/yjOhHBL4La
— 😉Controladores Aéreos 🇪🇸 (@controladores) September 7, 2026
The aircraft was an Airbus A320-214, one of the most widely used passenger aircraft in Europe. Flight-tracking information identifies EZY63KQ as easyJet’s Bristol-Malaga service, also operating under flight number U22715.
At this stage, there is no indication that the smoke was caused by an actual fire, and the precise source of the smoke or fumes has not been established. That distinction is important. Smoke or fumes inside an aircraft can have a number of possible causes and does not automatically mean that the aircraft was on fire. The other question is, of course, what was a routine flight from Bristol doing arriving at Malaga Airport so late?
Both pilots wearing oxygen masks
Perhaps the most alarming detail for those on board was the report that both pilots had donned their oxygen masks themselves. Flight crew oxygen equipment is designed to allow pilots to continue operating the aircraft if smoke or contaminated air affects the cockpit. Having both pilots using their oxygen masks therefore underlines why the situation was treated as an emergency.
Despite the alarming circumstances, the aircraft continued its arrival into Malaga in the small hours of Monday morning. Further details about what happened to the passengers and aircraft after landing are still emerging.
The incident comes after other European flights have experienced smoke or fumes emergencies this summer, including a British Airways Airbus A319 which declared an emergency after a possible smoke report while approaching Palma in August.
