MADRID — Air Canada says a Toronto-bound airplane is preparing to make an emergency landing at Madrid’s international airport due to an engine issue and reported tire rupture.

The airline says a Boeing 767 carrying 128 passengers is circling Adolfo Suarez-Barajas airport to use up fuel and lighten the jet for landing.

Ignacio Montesinos, a spokesman for Spain’s airport operator, says the pilot radioed the tower citing an emergency.

Air Canada says pilots are “fully trained for this eventuality.”

The aircraft took off at about 3 p.m. local time and has been circling the airspace above Madrid for more than two and a half hours.

Madrid’s main airport faced problems earlier Monday, as Spanish authorities say Adolfo shut down for more than an hour after reported drone sightings, diverting 26 flights to other airports.

Flight AC837 was bound for Toronto’s Pearson airport.

Source: The Canadian Press