Flights have been cancelled and diverted after a fierce sandstorm caused the closure of Tenerife's two airports.
Spain’s airport operator AENA suspended all flights all flights leaving Tenerife and flights in and out of Gran Canaria this evening after a storm carrying clouds of red sand from the Sahara hit the Canaries and severely reduced visibility.
More than 230 flights have already been affected at Tenerife's north and south airports by the "calima" storm which is visible from space and in Gran Canaria.
At least 19 flights to Gran Canaria were diverted, a spokeswoman for AENA said, although she did not specify which airlines had been affected.
Some flights which have already left the UK for the Canaries are being diverted to the Spanish mainland. Other flights have turned round.
Budget carrier Vueling, a subsidiary of IAG, said some of its services had been hit and advised passengers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
Spain’s national weather service warned that winds of up to 75 mph are set to hit the Canaries until Monday.
Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are likely to be the worst hit, the weather service said.
The Canary Government has also issued an official alert for all of the islands tonight for very strong winds and has warned people to take every care.
The regional government declared a state of alert and advised people to keep doors and windows closed.
The 'calima' is expected to affect the Canary Islands for at least three days and people who suffer from chest or breathing problems are being advised not to go out.
Authorities in Lanzarote’s capital Arrecife, canceled all outdoor activities, including some carnival celebrations.
The Met Office has tweeted: "A #Sandstorm is currently affecting #Fuerteventura and #Lanzarote locally known as a #Calima.
"This Saharan dust may spread across the rest of the Canaries over the coming days."
At one stage, visibility at Gran Canaria airport was down to 400metres.
There is no indication yet as to when the airports of Tenerife and Gran Canaria will be back to normal.
The Canaries are a popular tourist destination for northern Europeans in search of winter sun.
