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

It just goes to show that sometimes, the thing you remember most about a vacation isn’t the tan. That was the case for passengers returning from Lanzarote on a Finnair flight last week. The situation was watched closely, and it wasn’t just a one-off incident – several other planes faced similar challenges at the same airport.

Tensions ran high at the airport – a handful of attempts and finally a diversion

I was following the situation myself on a flight tracking app and social media as the news started pouring in. The Finnair holiday flight attempted to land in Lanzarote but had to concede that conditions simply wouldn’t allow it. Witnesses described the plane swaying in the wind like a leaf. One attempt, two attempts – and eventually, the plane had to pull up and head for an alternate airport. It’s not exactly the homecoming anyone hopes for after a holiday.

But what really stood out in this case was that Finnair wasn’t alone. That same day, Lanzarote saw wind gusts occasionally exceeding 70 kilometers per hour, making landings tricky, especially if the wind is coming from the wrong direction. Several aircraft were in the same boat at the airport. Some circled, hoping the gusts would die down, but many eventually had to make the same call as the Finnish plane.

Aviation experts weigh in: when is it too risky?

I had to talk to insiders in the aviation world about this. They don’t leave things to guesswork; they dig into what a pilot is really thinking in the cockpit. One expert pointed out that in such a situation, decision-making is straightforward: if you're not sure, you don’t go. Lanzarote’s airport is known for its tricky 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 another airport, and passengers were transported back. That’s what counts. Not arriving half an hour early.

• Gusty conditions: Locals reported strong crosswinds near the airport that exceeded safety limits for several aircraft types.
• Multiple attempts: Several planes had to make at least two landing approaches before diverting to alternate airports.
• No technical issues: I want to stress this, because many people might initially think of mechanical failures. This was purely about the weather, and every aircraft came through unscathed.

What does this mean for future travelers?

If you’re planning a trip to the Canary Islands or about to head out, this incident isn’t a cause for worry. Quite the opposite: it’s a sign that the system works. Weather forecasts for Lanzarote predict calmer winds in the coming days. Storms like this are typical for the region this time of year, but they’re usually fast-moving and short-lived.

What leaves me thinking is how little passengers often know about what flight captains sometimes have to do. You’re sitting in your seat, and the person next to you sighs because the plane is heading to a "wrong" city. But when you see a video of how the aircraft behaves up there, you quickly realize that captain just saved you from a situation that could have gone sideways.

In the end, everything turned out fine. The planes were refueled, passengers were transferred, and the vacationers made it home – a bit behind schedule, but safely. And that’s what matters most.