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Spanish investigators probe evasive action by head-on A321XLR and 787-9 near Western Sahara

Spanish aviation authorities are investigating an incident in which a Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A321XLR took evasive action while traveling head-on on the same bidirectional airway at the same cruise altitude in the Canary Islands/Western Sahara airspace. Investigators are assessing separation, coordination, and the circumstances leading to the near conflict.

Discovered 2026-07-18T01:58:20.696418-07:00 | 2026-07-18T01:58:20.696418-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The probe centers on a head-on encounter at the same cruise altitude on a shared bidirectional airway, a high-risk scenario for mid-air separation assurance.
  • Evasive maneuvering by both an Airbus A321XLR and a Boeing 787-9 can inform immediate changes to procedures around ATC coordination, traffic sequencing, and runway/airway utilization.
  • The outcome may drive targeted safety directives or regulatory follow-ups affecting how airlines and controllers manage same-altitude crossing trajectories over the region.

Reported By

FlightGlobal
Sources Tracked
1
First Seen
2026-07-18T01:58:20.696418-07:00
Latest Update
2026-07-18T01:58:20.696418-07:00
Coverage
Aviation

Sources

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