It’s not every day that for the low price of two airport coffees you could become the owner of a twin-engine aircraft… At least in theory.
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Spain’s airport and air-navigation manager Aena is looking for a buyer for a Piper PA-23 Apache after the aircraft was legally declared abandoned at Seville Airport. The plane is now up for public auction, with bids starting at just €10, not including the additional deposit of €0.50.
How does a plane end up being declared legally abandoned?
Speaking to Euronews Travel, the Aena press office said that it has been left at Seville Airport since at least 2018.
“We have tried to contact the owner many times,” the spokesperson said. “Since we didn’t manage to reach anyone, the airport announced the situation of this aircraft three times in the Official State Gazette, in case the owner came forward to claim it.”
As no one has come forward to claim the plane, it will now be open to bidding.
Reflecting the public interest in the abandoned aircraft, Aena has received many emails since the auction was announced. It added that any interested person, enterprise or institution can submit a bid by following the procedures set out in the auction’s terms and conditions.
The deadline for submitting bids is outlined in the tender documents, while the bid opening will take place at Seville Airport on a later date, which will be announced once the submission period ends.
The Piper PA-23 Apache was first introduced in the 1950s by the Piper Aircraft Corporation. The American company’s first twin-engine production aircraft was affordable for its era, with its all-metal build able to carry up to four people.
And now, the €10 question: can the abandoned plane still take to the skies?
“(It’s in a) bad condition," Aena told Euronews Travel. "The aircraft cannot fly.”
While €10 might not buy you a functional plane, the winning bidder will still walk away with perhaps one of the most unusual souvenirs to ever depart from a Spanish airport.