Published on December 29, 2025
A serious aviation safety incident unfolded at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport in the United States, drawing attention across the global travel and tourism community, particularly for routes linking North America and Central America such as El Salvador. A Volaris Airbus A320neo and a United Express Embraer E145 were involved in a near mid-air collision moments after takeoff, highlighting how critical layered safety systems are in modern air travel. The event occurred during standard parallel runway operations, a common practice at major international hubs serving millions of passengers annually. Despite correct air traffic control instructions and proper readbacks, a breakdown during execution placed both aircraft on a converging flight path shortly after departure. Ultimately, an onboard automated system acted as the final safeguard, preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome. For travelers, aviation professionals, and tourism stakeholders, the incident has served as a sobering reminder that while commercial flying remains one of the safest modes of transport, continuous vigilance, procedural discipline, and advanced technology are essential to maintaining confidence in international air travel between the United States, El Salvador, and beyond.

Parallel Runway Departures at a Major US Hub

Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, known as IAH, is among the busiest gateways in the United States, handling extensive domestic and international traffic that supports both business and leisure travel. Parallel runway operations are routinely conducted at such airports to maintain efficiency and minimize delays for travelers. On December 18, two aircraft were cleared for departure from Runways 33L and 33R, which share an approximate heading of 330 degrees. This configuration allows simultaneous takeoffs when carefully coordinated by air traffic control.

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The Airbus A320neo operating as Volaris El Salvador flight N3-4321 was scheduled to depart for San Salvador, a key tourism and business destination in El Salvador. Almost concurrently, a United Express flight operated by CommuteAir was preparing for departure to Jackson, Mississippi, serving regional connectivity within the United States. The timing between the two departures was approximately 20 seconds, well within operational norms.

Clear Instructions but a Critical Execution Error

Air traffic control provided precise post-takeoff instructions designed to ensure immediate lateral separation between the two aircraft. The Volaris flight was instructed to execute a left turn to a heading of 110 degrees after becoming airborne, while the United Express aircraft was assigned a slight right turn to 340 degrees. These diverging headings were calculated to safely separate the flight paths almost immediately after departure.

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The instructions were read back correctly by both flight crews, confirming that communication itself was accurate. However, after liftoff, the Volaris aircraft initiated a right turn rather than the required left turn. This maneuver directed the A320neo toward the departure path of the United Express Embraer E145, creating an immediate and serious collision risk.
The geometry of the situation amplified the danger. The Volaris aircraft was required to perform a turn exceeding 180 degrees to the left, while the United Express aircraft needed only a minimal right turn. As a result, any incorrect right turn by the Volaris jet would inevitably lead to convergence, especially during the critical climb phase immediately after takeoff.

Escalation of Risk in a High-Workload Environment

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As the incorrect maneuver unfolded, the Volaris pilots contacted air traffic control to clarify whether a turn to 110 degrees should be made to the right. The controller reiterated the correct instruction for a left turn, without immediate awareness that the aircraft had already begun turning the wrong way. Radar displays were already showing collision alerts as the two aircraft closed distance both laterally and vertically.
During this period, the controller was engaged in managing other departures and clearances, reflecting a high workload environment typical of peak operations at a major international airport in the United States. The developing emergency was not immediately prioritized, allowing the situation to escalate further.
The first explicit indication on the radio frequency that an imminent safety threat existed came from the United Express pilots, who announced that a Resolution Advisory had been received. This alert signaled that onboard systems had detected an unacceptable proximity between the two aircraft.

TCAS as the Final Safety Barrier

The collision was ultimately avoided due to the activation of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System, commonly known as TCAS, onboard the United Express aircraft. TCAS operates independently of ground-based air traffic control systems and is designed to intervene when all other separation measures have failed.
Initially, the system issues Traffic Advisories to increase pilot awareness. If the threat continues to develop, Resolution Advisories are generated, directing pilots to perform immediate vertical maneuvers to increase separation. In this incident, a full Resolution Advisory was issued, prompting decisive action that prevented a mid-air collision.
Although such maneuvers can be abrupt and have, in past incidents, resulted in injuries when occupants were unrestrained, no injuries were reported in this case. The timing shortly after takeoff meant that passengers and crew were still seated with seatbelts fastened, minimizing physical risk.

Human Factors and Crew Resource Management

Analysis of the incident has pointed to pilot error rather than miscommunication. The controller instructions were correct, and the readbacks accurately reflected those instructions. The failure occurred during execution, indicating a lapse in situational awareness and crew cross-checking.
From a human factors perspective, the instruction to execute a turn exceeding 180 degrees may have contributed to cognitive confusion. Such large turns can feel counterintuitive, especially during high-workload phases of flight. While this does not excuse the error, it has highlighted the importance of robust crew resource management practices, where both pilots actively monitor aircraft position, heading, and nearby traffic.
Given that the Volaris aircraft departed from the left runway while another aircraft departed from the right, basic spatial awareness cues should have reinforced that a right turn posed an immediate risk. This aspect has been central to discussions about training and procedural reinforcement.

Implications for Travel and Tourism Confidence

For the global travel and tourism sector, particularly routes connecting the United States and El Salvador, incidents like this attract close attention. Millions of travelers rely on major hubs such as Houston IAH for seamless and safe connections. While the event was serious, it also demonstrated the effectiveness of layered safety systems designed to protect passengers.
The absence of injuries and the successful intervention by automated technology have reinforced confidence in modern aviation safety. Such systems serve as a reassurance to tourists and business travelers that even when human errors occur, multiple safeguards remain in place.

Ongoing Review and Broader Context

The Federal Aviation Administration has not confirmed whether a formal investigation will be launched, though incidents of this nature typically undergo detailed internal safety reviews. Parallel runway operations are known to carry inherent risks, as illustrated by other recent global events involving runway or alignment confusion.
This Houston incident has reinforced key lessons for airlines, regulators, and airports worldwide. Strict adherence to procedures, effective workload management for controllers, continuous crew cross-checking, and reliance on automated safety systems remain essential components of safe air travel.
For travelers exploring destinations across the United States, El Salvador, and beyond, the event has served as a reminder that aviation safety is built on constant vigilance and continuous improvement, ensuring that global tourism remains both accessible and secure.

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