Saharan Dust Cloud Disrupts Air Travel Across Canary Islands
A thick cloud of Saharan dust, known as calima, disrupted air travel across the Canary Islands on Tuesday, forcing flight cancellations and diversions at Tenerife North Airport due to poor visibility.
Air travel in the Canary Islands faced significant disruptions this Tuesday as a thick cloud of Saharan dust, known as calima, swept across the region. According to airport operator Aena, poor visibility forced several changes to flight schedules at Tenerife North Airport.
The dust caused three flights to be disrupted. Two planes heading to La Palma and La Gomera were forced to turn back to Tenerife after failing to land at their destinations. A third flight, scheduled to travel between Tenerife North and El Hierro, was cancelled entirely.
These incidents highlight how vulnerable inter-island travel is to the region's frequent weather challenges. Calima brings fine dust particles that not only reduce visibility but can also interfere with navigation systems. To ensure passenger safety, airlines and air traffic controllers must follow strict protocols during these events, which remains a major challenge for a region that relies heavily on air travel to connect its residents and goods.