Avianca A320 aborts landing at Guatemala's Mundo Maya airport due to fireworks

An Avianca Airbus A320 approaching Guatemala's Mundo Maya international airport broke off its landing on 14 September after fireworks were seen along the final approach path, according to an account of the occurrence. The aircraft, registered N538AV, climbed away and rejoined the traffic pattern instead of continuing.

Video of the event showed the jet passing close to the fireworks. The crew made a second landing attempt once the fireworks no longer posed an immediate danger. That landing was completed safely, with no injuries or damage to the aircraft reported.

Guatemala's civil aviation authority, the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil, issued a warning after the occurrence, urging the public not to set off fireworks near airport arrival and departure routes.

Fireworks are common in Guatemala around Independence Day on 15 September. Near an airport they can become a hazard quickly, as the approach to Mundo Maya showed.

Switzerland sees similar problems, where fireworks on the national holiday on 1 August affect flight operations. At Zurich airport, special procedures apply: evening restrictions on arrivals and departures through German airspace are lifted, and arrival and departure routes are adjusted accordingly.