Flights have been cancelled and diverted after a fierce sandstorm caused the closure of Tenerife's two airports.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />At least 19 flights to Gran Canaria were diverted, a spokeswoman for AENA said, although she did not specify which airlines had been affected.<br /><br />Some flights which have already left the UK for the Canaries are being diverted to the Spanish mainland. Other flights have turned round.<br />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.<br /><br />Spain’s national weather service warned that winds of up to 75 mph are set to hit the Canaries until Monday.<br /><br />Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are likely to be the worst hit, the weather service said.<br /><br />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.<br />The regional government declared a state of alert and advised people to keep doors and windows closed.<br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br />Authorities in Lanzarote’s capital Arrecife, canceled all outdoor activities, including some carnival celebrations.<br />The Met Office has tweeted: "A #Sandstorm is currently affecting #Fuerteventura and #Lanzarote locally known as a #Calima.<br /><br />"This Saharan dust may spread across the rest of the Canaries over the coming days."<br />At one stage, visibility at Gran Canaria airport was down to 400metres.<br /><br />There is no indication yet as to when the airports of Tenerife and Gran Canaria will be back to normal.<br /><br />The Canaries are a popular tourist destination for northern Europeans in search of winter sun.<br />
