Holidaymakers traveling from Glasgow to Tenerife on TUI flight TOM1172 faced a harrowing journey after their flight was forced to abort landing twice due to extreme turbulence. The flight, which left Glasgow Airport at 5pm on Sunday, encountered severe weather conditions as it approached Tenerife Sur Airport, leaving passengers in distress.
Families onboard the flight, including 68-year-old James Lowe from Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, were left shaken as high winds violently rocked the aircraft during its descent. Lowe, who was on holiday with his daughter Cheryl, 44, and son-in-law Mike Knight, 36, described the experience as the “bumpiest plane ride” he had ever experienced in his life.
“We were about 50 feet off the ground when suddenly, the plane shot back up into the sky,” Lowe recounted. “The plane was shaking and rocking up and down, and it felt like we were completely out of control.” As the aircraft circled the airport over the sea, the pilot announced that he had aborted the landing due to wind shear, a dangerous weather phenomenon that can cause sudden changes in wind speed and direction, making it hazardous to land.
Wind shear is a known threat to aviation, especially during takeoff and landing, and pilots are trained to recognize the risks and abort landings if conditions become too dangerous. The TUI pilot’s decision to divert the flight was met with anxiety and fear from the passengers, many of whom were in tears as the plane bounced around in the turbulent skies. Lowe emphasized the frightening nature of the ordeal, adding, “That was the scariest flight I’ve ever been on, and I’ve been to Tenerife multiple times. This was something else.”
After the failed attempts to land at Tenerife, the pilot made the decision to divert the plane to Gran Canaria, an island located approximately 60 miles away. Passengers had to endure further delays as the flight sat on the runway in Gran Canaria for an hour, while the crew assessed the situation and waited for a safer window to land.
The third landing attempt was no less nerve-wracking, with passengers bracing themselves for another turbulent approach. “It felt like an Alton Towers ride,” Lowe explained. “Everyone was terrified. We were all sitting there wondering if we’d make it this time.” Despite the intense conditions, the pilot successfully landed the plane, and the aircraft touched down safely at Tenerife Sur Airport at 1am local time, much later than the scheduled arrival of 9pm.
The relief onboard was palpable, and the passengers, along with the cabin crew, gave the pilot a round of applause for safely navigating them through the dangerous situation. The pilot himself emerged from the cockpit to personally apologize to the passengers for the delay and the terrifying experience. He reassured them that in his 25-year flying career, he had never encountered such difficult conditions while attempting to land.
“We were just so glad to be on the ground,” Lowe said, reflecting on the ordeal. “When we finally got out of the airport, we understood why they couldn’t land earlier. The wind was incredibly strong, stronger than I’ve ever felt before. It’s no wonder they couldn’t bring the plane down safely on the first two tries.”
The delayed landing meant that passengers didn’t arrive at their hotels until 2am, cutting into their holiday time and leaving many of them exhausted from the stressful experience. However, the majority expressed relief and gratitude that the pilot had prioritized their safety, even if it meant significant delays.
A TUI spokesperson issued a statement following the incident, offering an apology to the passengers affected by the diversion and delays. “We are sorry that your flight TOM1172 from Glasgow to Tenerife has been diverted into Gran Canaria. We understand that this may have been concerning for our passengers, but unfortunately, the aircraft was forced to divert due to a wind shear. This action was taken with the safety of all passengers and crew in mind,” the spokesperson said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank our passengers for their understanding in such challenging circumstances.”
Wind shear is not uncommon in certain regions, particularly around mountainous areas or during storms, and Tenerife’s location in the Canary Islands means that the airport can experience sudden changes in weather patterns, particularly with high winds. The safety of passengers and crew is always the primary concern, and in this case, the pilot’s decision to divert was both necessary and prudent.
For James Lowe and his family, the holiday was certainly off to a dramatic start. However, despite the unnerving journey, Lowe maintained a positive outlook. “At the end of the day, we got there safely, and that’s what matters. It’s not the way you want to start your holiday, but I’m just grateful to the pilot for getting us through it.”
The extreme turbulence and failed landing attempts on TUI flight TOM1172 serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel, particularly when it comes to weather-related challenges. Nonetheless, the professionalism of the crew and the successful resolution of the situation helped ensure that passengers ultimately reached their destination safely, albeit a few hours late and with frayed nerves. As they settled into their holidays in Tenerife, they could at least take comfort in the fact that they had survived a truly unforgettable journey.