An Airbus A350-900 operated by Iberia was damaged during a traditional water cannon salute ceremony at Guayaquil Airport in Ecuador following its arrival from Madrid.
According to reports, the aircraft, registered EC-NXD, was welcomed with a water arch ceremony to celebrate the launch of Iberia's Airbus A350 service on the Madrid–Guayaquil route. During the event, equipment attached to a fire truck reportedly made contact with the aircraft's left winglet (sharklet), causing damage.
Airport personnel and technical teams responded to the incident and launched an investigation to determine how the contact occurred and assess the extent of the damage.
The Airbus A350-900 involved in the incident joined Iberia's fleet in September 2022 and has been used primarily on the airline's long-haul network. The aircraft was operating one of the first A350 flights on the Madrid–Guayaquil route, where the airline plans to deploy the type on selected services throughout June.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding repair requirements or any potential impact on the aircraft's future operations. Technical inspections are ongoing, and further information is expected once the investigation is completed.
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining strict safety procedures during ceremonial airport events, including water cannon salutes, which are commonly used worldwide to celebrate inaugural flights and special aviation milestones.
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