A long-abandoned aircraft at Seville Airport is now up for public auction, with Aena setting the starting bid at just €10. Repeated efforts to locate the owner of the PIPER PA-23 151/160 Apache, registration EC-GKA, have failed. The twin-engine American aircraft, designed for four to six passengers, has occupied airport space for an extended period without anyone claiming ownership.
The official notice published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) says interested parties can enter the auction by paying a €0.50 registration deposit. The aim is to clear the aircraft, now considered legally abandoned, from the airport premises. Before the auction, Aena tried to recover outstanding parking and airport fees from the registered owner. After those efforts failed, it declared the aircraft abandoned.
If the auction attracts no buyers, the aircraft may be sold to a company specializing in scrap and recycling of aviation materials. Aena could also donate it to an educational institution or aviation museum for instruction or exhibition. If neither option works, it could be dismantled to salvage usable parts and materials. These alternatives would keep the aircraft from occupying space at the airport.
The case reflects a broader problem with abandoned vehicles and equipment at Spanish transport hubs, where legal and administrative procedures can delay the removal of unclaimed property. Seville Airport’s situation echoes challenges in other sectors, including emergency response. For example, the recent Los Gallardos wildfire in Almería exposed gaps in Spain’s emergency alert system, as detailed in a report on the limitations of mobile alerts during critical incidents. The cases point to the need for efficient administrative action to manage public infrastructure and safety.
Seville is not the only Spanish airport to face abandoned aircraft; similar cases elsewhere have involved lengthy legal processes before authorities can reclaim and repurpose property. First produced in the 1950s, the PIPER PA-23 151/160 Apache is a general-aviation aircraft rarely seen at public auction with such a low starting price. The auction gives interested parties a chance to acquire it before it is dismantled or recycled. Aena’s priority is to maintain efficient, safe operations at its facilities while meeting legal requirements for asset disposal.
