It is not just properties, repossessed cars and unclaimed luggage that go under the hammer in Spain. Sometimes, entire aircraft do too. And for anyone who has ever dreamed of owning a plane, this could be an unusual opportunity. Seven aircraft are set to be auctioned in Mallorca, including a historic Soviet-built Antonov AN-2. But one question immediately springs to mind: who abandons an aircraft?
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
Public auctions in Spain are usually associated with properties, plots of land, vehicles or belongings that have never been reclaimed. But a notice published in Spain’s Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado, or BOE) reveals something rather more unexpected: seven aircraft at Son Bonet Airport in Mallorca are now subject to legal proceedings on the grounds of presumed abandonment.
Yes, seven entire aircraft. And not model aeroplanes, either.
The announcement, published on 3 November 2026, concerns aircraft manufactured by some of the best-known names in general aviation, including Cessna, Piper and Socata.
But one particular aircraft stands out: an Antonov AN-2, a Soviet-designed biplane that looks as though it belongs to another era.
From a small Cessna to a Soviet aviation classic
The seven aircraft will be offered for sale in two separate lots.
The first comprises three aircraft: a Cessna C172 (registration EC-ERT), a Piper PA22 (EC-JMM) and arguably the most remarkable aircraft in the auction, an Antonov AN-2 bearing the registration UR-84627.
The Antonov is a genuine piece of aviation history.
Developed in the Soviet Union, the distinctive biplane is instantly recognisable by its two sets of wings, one positioned above the other. Over the decades, it has been used to transport passengers and cargo, carry out agricultural work and serve remote communities.
One of its most notable characteristics is its ability to operate from relatively short and basic airstrips.
The second lot contains four additional aircraft: a Piper Cherokee Arrow II (EC-CZH), a Cessna C172 (EC-EPS), another Piper (EC-DOJ) and a Socata TB-9 (EC-JZB).
In total, the auction includes two Cessnas, three Pipers, one Socata and the historic Antonov.
The latter could prove particularly interesting to collectors and enthusiasts of vintage aviation.
But seriously, who abandons an aircraft?
It is perhaps the most intriguing question of the entire story.
Forgetting a suitcase at an airport is one thing. Leaving a car behind for years is another. But abandoning an entire aircraft?
As extraordinary as it sounds, there can be surprisingly practical explanations, most of them involving money.
Owning an aircraft is not simply about the freedom of taking to the skies. It also comes with considerable ongoing expenses.
Hangar or parking charges, insurance, maintenance, mandatory inspections and repairs can quickly add up to substantial sums.
A serious mechanical problem can make matters even worse. In some cases, restoring an aircraft to airworthy condition may cost more than the aircraft itself is worth.
Financial difficulties, unresolved paperwork or administrative complications can also leave aircraft grounded for extended periods.
Eventually, an owner may decide that recovering or repairing a plane is simply no longer financially viable.
However, there is no evidence that any of these explanations applies to the seven aircraft in Mallorca.
The official announcement does not identify their previous owners, explain how long the aircraft have been at Son Bonet Airport or provide details of the circumstances that led to the presumption of abandonment.
For now, their individual stories remain a mystery.
How much does an abandoned aircraft cost?
Anyone already imagining themselves at the controls of their own aircraft will have to wait a little longer.
The most important detail has yet to be revealed: the price.
The Spanish authorities have not published starting prices, individual valuations or minimum bids for either lot.
Nor has a specific date been announced for submitting offers. These details will be included in the forthcoming auction conditions.
There is another important unknown: the mechanical condition of the aircraft.
The official notice provides no information about their maintenance history, technical documentation or current airworthiness.
And that could make all the difference between an extraordinary bargain and an expensive restoration project.
An aircraft that has been grounded for years may require extensive repairs, technical inspections, updated documentation and regulatory approval before it can legally take to the skies again.
In other words, buying a plane at auction does not necessarily mean being able to fly it home.
Seven aircraft looking for new owners
The auction is being organised under Spain’s Aviation Act, which provides specific legal procedures for aircraft presumed to have been abandoned.
The official notice was signed by Isabel Mendiguchía González, director of Son Bonet Airport, and published in the BOE on 3 November 2026.
The next step will be the publication of the auction’s financial terms, bidding deadlines and participation requirements.
Until then, the seven aircraft remain an unusual prospect for potential buyers.
While thousands of people across Spain search for bargain properties at public auctions, Mallorca is preparing to offer something rather different.
Because who would have thought that, alongside houses, cars and plots of land, you might also be able to pick up a historic Soviet Antonov at a Spanish auction?
There is, of course, one small detail worth checking before dreaming of flying off into the Mediterranean sunset: whether the aircraft can actually fly.
