Eurocontrol has reported a ‘Zero Rate' for flights to the islands of Tenerife, and Gran Canaria as reported by air traffic controllers on their official Twitter profile because the islands are affected this weekend by post-tropical cyclone Hermine. There are large airlines that are cancelling flights to both of these islands until Tuesday.
According to Europa Press, the ‘Zero Rate' does not imply the closure of airspace or airports, but means that no flight heading for these destinations can leave its airport of origin until it is deactivated as they are not cleared to land when they get here. Some may be allowed to depart if there is a 'window' in the weather.
A ‘very reduced Rate' has been activated for the airports of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura due to the effects of tropical depression 'Hermine', which is leading to significant delays due to safety.
Anyone due to fly to or from Tenerife or Gran Canaria is advised to contact their airline to find out the status of their flight.
PLEASE NOTE:
Flights that were already on their way to Tenerife and Gran Canaria were allowed to land (conditions permitting or will be diverted) when the Zero Rate was announced.
Any flights that hadn't, have to ask permission from Eurocontrol who are reviewing the situation at 11.00pm tonight.
Realistically that means that flights that hadn't departed from their destination are delayed until at least tomorrow.
According to the latest data from Aena, there have been more than 215 flights affected so far today (Sunday), with 95 cancellations 7 diversions in Tenerife North; 35 cancelled and 18 diverted in Gran Canaria; 41 in La Palma; 20 in Lanzarote; 20 in El Hierro, and 4 cancelled in La Gomera.
The storm has left numerous incidents throughout the weekend in the Canary Islands, especially on the island of Gran Canaria. The municipality of La Aldea has been cut off by road and there have been landslides and power outages in various areas.
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC), the body responsible for monitoring tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic, has reported that Hermine is no longer a tropical storm, it has been downgraded to a tropical depression, although in the next few hours it will continue to rain heavily in the Canary Islands.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has updated the warnings for adverse weather events for tomorrow (Monday, September 26th), and keeps the islands yellow and orange due to rain, storms and wind.
