Caught in the Storm in Lanzarote: Finnair Holiday Jet’s Rough Landing Attempts – A Close Watch on the Situation

Let's be honest, sometimes the thing you remember most about a holiday isn't the tan, but the journey home. That was the case last week for passengers returning from Lanzarote on a Finnair flight. The situation was monitored closely, and it wasn't an isolated incident—several other planes faced similar challenges at the same airport.

Tension Mounts at the Airport – A Handful of Attempts and Finally a Diversion

I was following the situation myself using flight tracking apps and social media as the news started to break. Finnair’s holiday jet attempted to land in Lanzarote but had to accept that conditions simply wouldn’t allow it. Eyewitnesses described the plane swaying in the wind like a toy tossed by the waves. One attempt, two attempts—and ultimately, the aircraft had to loop around and head for an alternate airport. Not exactly the end to a vacation anyone hopes for.

But what really stood out in this case was that Finnair wasn’t alone. That same day, Lanzarote experienced wind gusts occasionally exceeding 70 kilometres per hour, conditions that quickly make landing impossible, especially if the wind is coming from the wrong direction. Several aircraft at the airport were in the same boat. Some circled, waiting to see if the wind would die down, but in the end, many had to make the same call as the Finnish jet.

Pilot Experts Weigh In: What’s Too Risky?

I had to discuss this with people in the industry. They don’t leave things to chance—they dig into exactly what goes through a pilot’s mind in the cockpit. One expert reminded me that decision-making in a situation like this is straightforward: if you’re not sure, you don’t go. Lanzarote’s airport is known for its unpredictable winds, and while aircraft are built to handle strong gusts, the final responsibility always rests with the captain to make the call that keeps passengers safe.

And that call was made. The Finnair plane eventually landed safely at an alternate airport, and passengers were bussed back. That’s what really counts. Not arriving half an hour early.

• Gusty Winds: According to locals, strong crosswinds were measured near the airport, exceeding safety limits for several aircraft types.
• Multiple Attempts: Several planes had to make at least two approach attempts before diverting to an alternate airport.
• No Technical Issues: I want to stress this, because many people’s first thought might be a mechanical failure. This was purely about the weather, and every plane came through the situation unscathed.

What Does This Mean for Future Travellers?

If you’re planning a trip to the Canary Islands or about to head out, this incident is no cause for worry. On the contrary: it’s proof that the system works. Weather forecasts for Lanzarote show things calming down in the coming days. Storms like this are typical for the region at this time of year, but they’re usually fast-moving and brief.

What’s got me thinking is how little passengers often know about what flight captains sometimes have to do. You’re sitting in your seat, and someone next to you sighs when the plane heads to a "wrong" city. But when you see footage of how an aircraft behaves up there, you quickly realize that captain just saved you from a situation that could have turned really nasty.

In the end, everything turned out fine. The planes were refuelled, passengers were transferred, and the holidaymakers made it home—a bit behind schedule, but safely. And that’s what really matters.