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

It's true that sometimes the return from a holiday becomes memorable for reasons other than your tan. That’s exactly what happened last week to passengers flying back from Lanzarote with Finnair. The situation was monitored closely, and it wasn't an isolated incident – several other planes at the same airport faced similar challenges.

Tensions Ran High at the Airport – Multiple Attempts and a Final Diversion

I was following the situation myself via flight tracker apps and social media as the news started coming in. The Finnair holiday jet attempted to land in Lanzarote but had to concede that the weather conditions simply wouldn't permit it. Eyewitnesses described the plane swaying in the wind like a leaf. One attempt, two attempts – and ultimately, the aircraft had to abort and divert to another airport. This isn't what anyone hopes for when coming back from a holiday.

But what was particularly striking in this case was that Finnair wasn't alone. That same day, Lanzarote experienced wind gusts occasionally exceeding 70 kilometres per hour, which can easily make landing impossible, especially if they're coming from the wrong direction. Several aircraft at the airport were in the same boat. A few circled, hoping the wind would ease, but ultimately many had to make the same call as the Finnish plane.

Pilot Experts Weigh In: What’s Too Risky?

I had to discuss this with insiders from the aviation industry. They don't leave things to guesswork; they get down to what a pilot is truly considering in the cockpit. One expert reminded me that in such a situation, the decision-making is straightforward: if you're not sure, you don't go. Lanzarote's airport is known for its tricky winds, and even though aircraft are built to withstand strong gusts, the final responsibility always lies 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 the passengers were transported back by coach. That’s what truly counts. Not arriving half an hour early.

• Gusty winds were the culprit: 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 heading to their diversion airports.
• No technical failure: I want to stress this, as many might initially think of mechanical issues. This was purely a weather event, and every aircraft came through it unscathed.

What Does This Mean for Future Travellers?

If you're planning a trip to the Canary Islands or are just about to leave, this incident is no cause for worry. On the contrary, it demonstrates that the system works. Weather forecasts for Lanzarote predict calmer conditions in the coming days. Storms like this are typical for the region this time of year, but they are usually brief and pass quickly.

What left me thinking was how little passengers often know about what pilots sometimes have to deal with. You're sitting in your seat, and someone next to you sighs because you're heading to a "different" city. But when you watch the footage of the aircraft's movements in the sky, you quickly realise that the captain has just saved you from a situation that could have turned very messy.

In the end, everything turned out well. The planes were refuelled, passengers were transferred, and holidaymakers are home – a bit behind schedule, but safely. And that’s the most important thing.