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Houston flight bound for Mexico turned around due to volcanic ash

United Airlines jet taking off at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. (United Airlines, Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – A Mexico-bound flight that took off from Houston was forced to return for a rather unusual reason—volcanic ash.

United Airlines flight 1088 took off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport around 11:52 a.m. headed for Mexico City, Mexico, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

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The plane turned around just after crossing into Mexico, landing back at Bush Airport a little after 2 p.m.

A United Airlines spokesperson said the flight was diverted back to Houston due to low visibility from volcanic ash.

“United flight 1088 returned to Houston because volcanic ash caused low visibility in Mexico City,” a spokesperson told KPRC 2. “Visibility conditions have since improved, and the flight is set to depart again soon.”

Data from FlightAware shows the flight took off from Houston for a second time at 4:04 p.m. and safely landed in Mexico City, Mexico at 6:31 p.m. local time.


About the Author
Gage Goulding headshot

Gage Goulding is an award-winning TV news reporter and anchor. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, he comes to Texas from Fort Myers, FL, where he covered some of the areas most important stories, including Hurricane Ian.

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