A dramatic video, recorded and shared by Spanish air traffic controllers on Thursday, has revealed just how challenging conditions can be during a landing disrupted by wind shear at Tenerife South Airport.
Posted on the official @Controladores account on X (formerly Twitter), the footage, captured from the control tower, shows a Ryanair plane forced to abort its final approach due to sudden and severe changes in the wind.
The manoeuvre, known as a “go-around”, was prompted by wind shear, which is an abrupt variation in wind speed or direction that can occur close to the ground and poses a serious hazard during take-off or landing.
The video, which quickly gained traction online, offers a rare view from inside the tower as the pilot executes a textbook recovery to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
According to both air traffic controllers and Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), Thursday was a difficult day for aviation in the Canary Islands, with adverse weather affecting both Tenerife South and Gran Canaria airports. Strong tailwinds and opposing runway conditions (known as “cabeceras enfrentadas”) led to multiple missed approaches throughout the day.
Wind shear, often associated with storms or mountainous terrain, can suddenly reduce the lift on an aircraft, making a safe landing impossible. In such cases, pilots are trained to respond immediately, powering up the engines and climbing out of the approach path to attempt another landing or divert to an alternate airport if necessary.
