Storm Erminio: As Saharan dust turns Crete orange, have UK flights there been cancelled or delayed?
Those who are planning an Easter getaway to Crete should be prepared after Storm Erminio hits.
If you are planning an Easter getaway to Crete, you will naturally be concerned about delays and cancellations after Storm Erminio has hit the holiday hotspot. The Facebook page for Athens News Agency-Macedonian Press Agency has reported that “Three flights from abroad had to abort landing at the Heraklion International Airport 'Nikos Kazantzakis' on Wednesday, due to African dust, low visibility (restricted to 1,000 meters approximately), and gale-force winds (25-35 knots) on Crete's main city and airport.”
The Heraklion International Airport 'Nikos Kazantzakis' is Crete’s primary airport and is named after Greek writer and philosopher. Nikos Kazantzakis
As parts of Greece have been hit by gale-force winds and flooding, a man has died as a result. According to the fire department, he was found under a car in the Nea Makri rural area near Athens.
According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, “Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected. TAKE ACTION to protect yourself and act on advice given by authorities. Widespread, violent thunderstorms are likely with danger to life from lightning, hail, flooding and storm damage. Transport and power disruption can be expected. Significant disruption to normal routines is possible. Avoid making non-essential journeys.”
The Facebook page for Crete Info 2026-2027 has been posting photos of the Sarahran dust storm turning Crete orange. One person wrote: “A " kalima" or dust storm. Experienced this in Lanzarote many years ago. Thick layer of red dust delivered daily. Hard work for the Hotel cleaners. .
Another person said: “Wow, that looks absolutely lush but terrifying at the same time.” One person added that “And today everything is covered in red mud! We don't know where to start cleaning..”
In response, one other said: “Every spring time there is dust from the Sahara, brought over by the south wind. Indeed south winds happen quite often.If you have chest or breathing problems it is not a good idea to live on Crete as it is a very bad place for you to live.
“Even without the south wind it is a very dusty place!! Today thunderstorms are forecast.”
Will UK flights to Crete be delayed or cancelled over Easter?
Despite reports of some landings in Crete having to be aborted because of low visibility, it looks like weather is improving over coming days so at the time of writing, there is no reports that UK flights to Crete will be delayed or cancelled over Easter