Saturday evening, February 22, 2020, flights from Gran Canaria were hit by a sandstorm. Several flights to / from Gran Canaria and Tenerife were canceled.
The Spanish airport operator, AENA, suspended all flights from Gran Canaria and Tenerife due to a sandstorm, which greatly reduced visibility. The red sand cloud comes from the Sahara.
Flights from Gran Canaria, affected by a sandstorm
At least 19 flights to Gran Canaria have been diverted / canceled, said AENA spokesman. The affected airlines were not mentioned. But Vueling, a subsidiary of IAG, said several flights were affected and advises passengers to check the status of the flights.
The Spanish National Weather Service has warned that gusts of up to 120 km / h (75 mph) will hit the Canary Islands by Monday. Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote will be the most affected.
The regional authorities decreed a state of climatic emergency and advised the people to keep the doors and windows closed. Several scheduled outdoor activities have been canceled.
Currently, flights are delayed or canceled, but airports in the Canary Islands are open to air passenger traffic.