Houston flight bound for Mexico turned around due to volcanic ash

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.

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

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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.