Caught in the Storm at Lanzarote: Finnair Holiday Jet’s Harrowing Landing Attempts – A Close Watch

Let’s face it, sometimes the thing you remember most about coming home from a holiday isn’t your tan. That was certainly the case last week for passengers on a Finnair flight returning from Lanzarote. The situation was monitored closely, and it wasn’t just a one-off incident – several other planes faced similar challenges at the same airport.

Tension Mounts at the Airport – Multiple Attempts and a Diversion

I was keeping an eye on things myself via flight tracker apps and social media as the news started to come in. The Finnair holiday jet tried to land at Lanzarote, but had to concede the conditions simply weren’t safe. Witnesses described the plane being buffeted by the wind like a cork in a storm. One attempt, two attempts – and eventually the aircraft had to pull up and head for an alternative airport. It’s not exactly the end to a holiday anyone hopes for.

But what really stood out here was that Finnair wasn't the only one. On that day, wind gusts in Lanzarote were hitting over 70 kilometres per hour at times, which makes landing incredibly tricky, especially if the wind is coming from the wrong direction. Several other planes were in the same boat at the airport. Some circled, hoping the wind would ease, but many ended up making the same call as the Finnish plane.

Pilot Experts Weigh In: When is it Too Risky?

I had to talk to some people in the know to get the inside word on this. They don’t leave things to guesswork; they get into what’s actually going through a pilot's mind in the cockpit. One expert reminded me that in situations like this, decision-making is straightforward: if you’re not certain, you don’t go. Lanzarote’s airport is known for its tricky, unpredictable wind. While planes are built to handle strong gusts, the final call always rests with the captain to keep passengers safe.

And that’s the call they made. The Finnair plane eventually landed safely at another airport, and passengers were transported back from there. That’s the thing that matters. Not getting in half an hour early.

• Gusty conditions: Local reports indicated strong crosswinds near the airport exceeding safety limits for several aircraft types.
• Multiple attempts: Several planes had to make at least two approach attempts before diverting.
• No technical issues: I want to stress this because many people’s first thought might be a mechanical problem. This was purely about the weather, and every plane came through it unscathed.

What Does This Mean for Future Holidaymakers?

If you’re planning a trip to the Canary Islands or about to head off, there’s no need to worry about this incident. If anything, it’s a sign that the system works. The weather forecast for Lanzarote shows things settling down over the coming days. Storms like this are typical for the region at this time of year, but they’re usually fast-moving and short-lived.

What I found myself thinking about is how little passengers often know about what goes on behind the scenes in the cockpit. You’re sitting in your seat, and the person next to you sighs because you’re being diverted to a "wrong" city. But when you see footage of how the plane was being thrown around in the sky, it clicks – that captain just made the call that kept you out of a seriously dangerous situation.

In the end, everything worked out fine. The planes were refuelled, the passengers were transferred, and the holidaymakers made it home – a bit behind schedule, but safely. And that’s the main thing.