Near Mid-Air Collision Over Canary Islands Averted by TCAS Alerts

A serious incident occurred on July 10th over the Canary Islands when two commercial aircraft, an Iberia Airbus A321 and an Air Europa Boeing 787, were on opposing courses at the same altitude. The near-disaster took place at 2:23 AM local time in the oceanic sector of the Canary Islands' Flight Information Region (FIR). The Airbus A321, carrying 133 passengers and six crew, activated a TCAS TA alert, followed by a TCAS RA DESCEND command. This was in response to the Air Europa Boeing 787-9, with 321 passengers and twelve crew, flying at the same level in the opposite direction on the same airway. The Boeing 787 simultaneously received a TCAS RA CLIMB alert. Both aircraft were less than two nautical miles (3.70 km) apart, a critical proximity given their speeds and opposing directions. The Airbus A321 descended 152 meters (500 feet) as instructed by the system until it received a "CONFLICT FREE" notification. Both planes continued their journeys without any injuries or damage. Spanish MP Cristina Valido has raised the issue in Congress, questioning how two commercial aircraft could operate at the same altitude on an oceanic airway and what system failures allowed this. She also highlighted the inherent technical limitations in surveillance and communication coverage within the Canary Islands' oceanic FIR compared to continental airspace. Valido is seeking to know if Enaire's Canary Islands control center has automatic early warning systems for route conflicts in oceanic sectors and why they did not function if they exist. She also inquired about the number of air traffic controllers on duty during that shift and whether all positions were staffed.