Strong crosswinds and wind shear at Tenerife South Airport have caused the diversion of three flights so far this Thursday morning, with more expected as the day progresses.
Two of the affected flights, arriving from Milan and Edinburgh, were redirected to Tenerife North Airport, while a third flight from Nuremberg was diverted to Gran Canaria Airport, according to sources from AENA.
These diversions will cause delays for passengers travelling back to those destinations, or waiting for a delayed flight to come in, so are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.
As of now, no other disruptions have been reported at other airports across the Canary Islands, AENA sources confirmed.
Wind shear refers to a sudden change in wind direction or speed, which can complicate aircraft take-off and landing operations. Here are the key aspects of the problem:
1. Wind Shear at Runway Ends
- Sudden Wind Changes: Pilots approaching or departing from Tenerife South Airport can experience sudden and significant variations in wind speed and direction, especially near the ends of the runway.
- Low-Level Wind Shear (LLWS): The problem is particularly dangerous at low altitudes during take-off and landing, where aircraft have limited ability to respond quickly to changes in wind.
2. Causes of Wind Shear at TFS
- Local Geography: The airport is near the coast, and the combination of land and sea creates fluctuating wind conditions.
- Trade Winds & Orographic Effects: Tenerife’s mountainous terrain, particularly Montaña Roja near the airport, can create turbulence and unpredictable wind shifts.
- Strong Gusts: Sudden gusts from the Atlantic can contribute to rapid changes in wind direction and intensity.
- Thermal Effects: The difference in temperature between the ocean and land can also contribute to localized wind shear.
3. Impact on Flights
- Hard Landings: Wind shear can cause aircraft to land harder than expected.
- Go-Arounds & Diversions: If conditions are severe, pilots may need to abort landings and try again or divert to another airport.
4. Mitigation Measures
- Wind Shear Detection Systems: Tenerife South Airport has weather monitoring systems to detect wind shear and alert pilots.
- Pilot Training: Airlines operating in the Canary Islands train pilots for wind shear scenarios.
