Watch: Jet2 Flight Aborts Landing at Lanzarote Airport Before Safely Touching Down
Dramatic Video Captures Go-Around at César Manrique Airport
Passengers arriving in Lanzarote on the 31st May on a Jet2 flight from Birmingham experienced an unexpected moment during their approach to the island when the aircraft aborted its landing and climbed back into the sky.
The incident, which was captured on video at César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, has attracted significant attention online after footage of the manoeuvre was shared on social media.
The aircraft was operating a scheduled Jet2 service from Birmingham and was approaching the runway as normal when the flight crew decided not to continue with the landing.
Instead, the pilots initiated what is known in aviation as a “go-around” – a standard safety procedure that allows an aircraft to discontinue its approach and return to the air before making another landing attempt.
What Happened?
Video footage shows the aircraft descending towards the runway before suddenly increasing engine power and climbing away from the airport.
To passengers unfamiliar with aviation procedures, the manoeuvre can feel dramatic. Inside the aircraft, travellers often experience a sudden increase in engine noise and a noticeable climb as the pilots regain altitude.
However, aviation experts stress that a go-around is not considered an emergency.
In fact, it is one of the most practised manoeuvres in commercial aviation and is designed to give pilots the option of abandoning a landing whenever conditions are not exactly as required.
Why Do Go-Arounds Happen?
A go-around can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
- Wind conditions changing during the final approach.
- Aircraft alignment not meeting safety requirements.
- Traffic on the runway.
- Visibility concerns.
- Instructions from air traffic control.
Lanzarote Airport is particularly well known among pilots for its coastal location and exposure to Atlantic winds.
Although the island enjoys excellent flying conditions for most of the year, sudden gusts and crosswinds can occasionally create challenging approaches, especially during periods of stronger trade winds.
A Routine Safety Procedure
Despite the dramatic appearance of the manoeuvre, the flight landed safely on a subsequent attempt and passengers continued their journey without incident.
Commercial airline crews regularly train for go-around procedures in flight simulators and are expected to execute them immediately whenever landing conditions fall outside strict operational limits.
Many aviation professionals consider a go-around to be a positive example of pilots prioritising safety rather than attempting to force a landing.
Lanzarote Remains One of Europe’s Most Popular Aviation Destinations
The island’s airport handles millions of passengers every year, connecting Lanzarote with destinations across the United Kingdom, mainland Spain and the rest of Europe.
The airport’s location between volcanic landscapes and the Atlantic Ocean has made it a favourite destination for aviation photographers and plane-spotters, with many spectacular arrivals and departures regularly captured on camera.
Watch the Video
You can watch the full footage of the Jet2 go-around here: Jet2 Go-Around Landing 31st May 2026
