Unfortunately our excitement and expectations of welcoming the HB-SIA and its pilot André Borschberg in the beautiful crimson Moroccan desert has drastically sunk. Just minutes after the Solar Impulse team set its foot in Ouarzazate International Airport, the solar aircraft was unexpectedly met with strong headwinds and turbulence between Casablanca and Marrakesh. The wind speed was fluctuating around 40 knots, twice as high as expected, causing the solar airplane to stand still.

The aircraft and the pilot are not in danger, but it is hindering the advancement of the HB-SIA to its final destination. At Solar Impulse, the safety of the pilot and aircraft are the priority in all missions and, given the lack of improvement of the current situation, the Flight Director has made the decision to turn back to the departure airport due to the unexpected weather conditions. André is not in a hurry to return, however. He will continue to climb to a higher altitude in order to collect sufficient energy while waiting for better conditions to initiating his final descent on Rabat. If he had continued the flight, it would have taken 9 hours just to reach Marrakesh.

It is an unfortunate situation, but at this point there were no other available options. It seems that the temporary hangar will be required to remain devoid of its host until further notice.