The Spanish Air Force carried out a rescue in the early hours of Sunday morning, with personnel saving a "critically ill" tourist aboard a cruise ship.

       The Aidamar vessel was located more than 600 kilometres southwest of Tenerife.

       A statement from the Spanish Ministry of Defence said that a Super Puma helicopter was deployed to airlift a German woman, 61, who was suffering severe complications from a pulmonary infection.

       Canarian Weekly reports that the mission involved the coordinated use of additional aircraft and advanced satellite communications.

       A D.4 VIGMA aircraft was activated to provide wind data at altitude, and the aircraft established contact with the ship.

       READ MORE: King Charles's first foreign trip of 2025 confirmed by Palace [ROYAL]

       This move offered guidance to facilitate the helicopter’s approach. The helicopter crew was equipped with military medical personnel.

       So the airlift of the woman could go ahead, the cruise ship maintained a steady course and speed that was directed by the VIGMA aircraft.

       The passenger was then hoisted aboard the helicopter before it headed to El Hierro Airport.

       The facility had to activate its facilities outside normal operating hours to accommodate the mission, it has been reported.

       READ MORE:

       Holidaymakers urged to never travel with a ‘black suitcase with wheels’ [INSIGHT]

       Greece gets tough on cruise ships and tells tourists ‘visit another time' [TRAVEL]

       Panic in beautiful city in ‘friendliest country’ as tourists told ‘go elsewhere' [TOURISM]

       The helicopter then continued to Tenerife South Airport, where an ambulance from the Canary Islands Emergency Service transported the woman to Quirón Hospital in Santa Cruz, where she was admitted for further medical treatment.