WASHINGTON (AP) — An incident involving a JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York has raised alarm over air safety as the aircraft was forced to stop its ascent to avoid colliding with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker on Friday. The pilot expressed frustration over the military plane's unexpected route and lack of active transponder.
During communication with air traffic control, the pilot stated, We almost had a midair collision up here. They passed directly in our flight path. ... They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous.” This close call occurred as the flight, designated JetBlue 1112, was approaching New York’s JFK Airport.
The U.S. military has escalated operations in the Caribbean region, particularly due to ongoing drug interdiction activities and increasing pressure on the Venezuelan government. The pilot specifically noted that the Air Force aircraft passed dangerously close, within just 2 or 3 miles.
JetBlue's spokesperson, Derek Dombrowski, confirmed that the incident has been reported to federal authorities and emphasized the crew's adherence to safety protocols. Our crewmembers are trained on proper procedures for various flight situations, and we appreciate our crew for promptly reporting this situation to our leadership team, Dombrowski stated.
The Pentagon has not yet commented on the incident, with the Air Force handling inquiries. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned U.S. aircraft to exercise caution around Venezuelan airspace due to escalated military activities.
In light of this incident, air traffic control remarked on the frequency of unidentified aircraft in the area, echoing concerns surrounding safety as military operations increase. This situation casts a shadow over civilian air travel in regions experiencing heightened military engagement.
