A MAJOR sandstorm has sparked half-time holiday chaos with ALL Gran Canaria flights grounded.
Hundreds of Brits are stranded at airports in the Canary Islands after a huge cloud of dust visible turned the sky orange.
A storm carrying clouds of red sand from the Sahara has caused half- term holiday chaos
Credit: EPA
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Manchester based Leigh Gayles has been stranded at the airport since 5. 22 this afternoon
All flights at Gran Canaria airport have been suspended and outbound flights from Tenerife grounded.
At least 60 Flights to Gran Canaria have been diverted, a spokeswoman for Spain’s airport operator AENA said.
Brit holidaymaker Leigh Gayles told The Sun he has been stranded in the airport since 5pm this afternoon.
Huge amounts of dust and sand from Sahara desert have made their way into the islands, turning the sky orange (Credit: EPA)
At least
Astorm carrying clouds of red sand from the Sahara hi t the Canaries and severely reduced visibility Credit: Reuters
Mr Gayles was hoping to catch his flight home to Manchester at 7. 90 pm tonight, but has been told it has been delayed until further notice.
While Mr Gayles was frustrated with the delay, he acknowledged many others had been “waiting a lot longer.”
He added: “The airport is choc-a-block, there’s people everywhere. Some have been stranded since 2 or 3 this afternoon and don’t know what’s happening. ”
Budget carrier Vueling, a subsidiary of IAG, said some of its services had been hit by the suspensions, advising passengers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
Spain’s national weather service warned that winds of up to 150 mph are set to blast the Canaries until Monday.
Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are likely to be the worst hit, the weather service advised.
Regional government declared a state of alert and advised people to keep doors and windows closed across the archipelago.
Authorities in Lanzarote’s capital Arrecife, cancelled all outdoor activities, including some carnival celebrations.
The extreme winds hit as a fast growing forest fire burns through Tasarte, Gran Canaria.
It is believe 502 hectares have been burnt in the flames which started at 6. 30 pm local time on Saturday.
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