LANZAROTE— A Jet2 (LS) flight from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to Cesar Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE) performed a dramatic aborted landing after touching down on the runway before climbing away for a second approach.
The incident involved flight LS11DF on Sunday evening and was captured on camera by local aviation observers. Footage showed the aircraft pitching upward moments after touchdown, with its tail appearing to come close to striking the runway before the crew initiated a go-around.
Jet2 Pilots Abort Landing at Lanzarote
The maneuver occurred as the aircraft arrived at Lanzarote Airport following its flight from the United Kingdom. Video shared by Lanzarote Webcam showed the jet making initial contact with the runway before rapidly increasing thrust and climbing away.
In aviation, this procedure is commonly known as a go-around or TOGA (Takeoff/Go-Around). Pilots perform the maneuver when landing conditions are no longer considered safe or when an unstable approach develops during the final stages of landing.
Observers noted that the aircraft appeared to rotate aggressively after touchdown, prompting speculation that the crew may have been preventing a potential tail strike. However, no official explanation had been released at the time of writing.
The aircraft remained airborne for approximately 15 minutes before returning for a second approach. It subsequently landed safely at around 7:30 p.m. local time without further incident, the Mirror reported.
Possible Contributing Factors
Aviation enthusiasts and industry observers offered several theories after reviewing the footage. Some suggested the aircraft may have encountered a sudden wind shift or crosswind gust during the landing flare.
Others pointed to the aircraft’s nose-high attitude immediately before the go-around, noting that pilots are trained to discontinue a landing whenever safety margins are reduced. Executing a go-around is considered a standard and safe response in such situations.
While social media users debated the cause, aviation experts generally agreed that the crew’s decision demonstrated sound judgment.
Modern airline procedures prioritize safety over completing a landing attempt, even if it results in additional fuel burn and operational delays.
Jet2 had not publicly commented on the specific reason behind the maneuver when reports emerged.
Wind Challenges at Lanzarote Airport
The event has renewed attention on the challenging wind conditions frequently experienced at Lanzarote Airport. The Canary Islands airport is known for occasional strong crosswinds that can complicate arrivals, particularly during seasonal weather systems.
Earlier this year, another aircraft operating into Lanzarote executed a go-around after encountering severe wind gusts during its final approach.
That flight also landed safely on a second attempt after pilots assessed conditions and repositioned for another landing.
Go-arounds remain a routine part of airline operations worldwide and are practiced regularly in simulator training.
Although dramatic to passengers and observers, the maneuver is designed to provide flight crews with a safe alternative whenever landing conditions change unexpectedly.
In this case, the Jet2 crew successfully managed the situation and completed the flight without injuries or reported damage to the aircraft.
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