Buffeted by storms in Lanzarote: Finnair holiday flight's harrowing landing attempts – a closely watched incident

It’s true what they say: sometimes the thing you remember most about a holiday isn’t the tan. That was certainly the case for passengers on a Finnair flight returning from Lanzarote last week. The situation was watched closely, and it wasn’t a one-off mishap – several aircraft faced similar ordeals at the same airport.

Tension mounts at the airport – a handful of attempts and a diversion

I’d been following the situation myself on a flight tracker and social media as the news started coming in. The Finnair holiday jet tried to land at Lanzarote, but the crew quickly realised the conditions simply wouldn’t allow it. Eyewitnesses said the plane was being tossed about in the wind like a leaf. One attempt, two attempts – and eventually the aircraft had to pull up and divert to another airport. Not exactly the homecoming anyone wants after a holiday.

But what really stood out was that Finnair wasn’t alone. On that day, gusts in Lanzarote were topping 70 kilometres an hour at times, making landings dangerously tricky, especially if the wind was coming from the wrong direction. Several aircraft found themselves in the same predicament. Some circled, hoping the gusts would ease, but many were ultimately forced to make the same call as the Finnish plane.

Pilot experts weigh in: what’s too risky?

This was something I had to discuss with people in the know. In the industry, nothing is left to guesswork – they break down exactly what goes through a pilot’s mind in the cockpit. One expert reminded me that decision-making in such situations is straightforward: if you’re not certain, you don’t go ahead. Lanzarote’s airport is known for its tricky, unpredictable winds, and while aircraft are built to handle strong gusts, the final call always rests with the captain to ensure passenger safety.

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

• Gusty conditions: Locals reported strong crosswinds near the airport that exceeded safe limits for many aircraft types.
• Multiple attempts: Several planes made at least two approach attempts before diverting to an alternate airport.
• No technical faults: I want to stress this, because many people’s first thought might be a mechanical issue. This was purely weather-related, and every aircraft came through unscathed.

What does this mean for future holidaymakers?

If you’re planning a trip to the Canaries or about to head off, this incident isn’t a cause for concern. Quite the opposite: it shows the system works. Weather forecasts for Lanzarote suggest calmer conditions in the coming days. Storms like this are typical in the region at this time of year, but they’re usually short-lived and blow over quickly.

What’s left me thinking is how little passengers often know about what pilots have to do behind the scenes. You’re sitting in your seat, and someone nearby sighs when the plane ends up in the “wrong” city. But watch the footage of how that plane was behaving in the sky, and it quickly becomes clear that the captain just saved you from a situation that could have turned very ugly.

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