On Friday, a JetBlue flight originating from Curaçao encountered a potentially dangerous situation when it was forced to halt its ascent to prevent a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker. The incident took place during JetBlue Flight 1112's journey to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The JetBlue pilot reported to air traffic control that the military aircraft had crossed directly into the flight path of the commercial plane, stating, “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 alarming communication highlighted the pilot's concerns about the potential risks posed by military aircraft operating without active transponder signals.
According to the pilot's account, the Air Force refueling plane was flying at the same altitude as the JetBlue aircraft and passed within a dangerously close proximity of 2 to 3 miles. As a result of this encounter, the pilot was compelled to stop the climb of the JetBlue flight to avoid an accident. Following the incident, the Air Force plane proceeded into Venezuelan airspace.
Derek Dombrowski, a spokesperson for JetBlue, confirmed that the airline had reported the incident to federal authorities and expressed a commitment to cooperate with any ongoing investigations. He acknowledged the professional training of JetBlue's crew members and commended them for promptly notifying the leadership team about the situation.
In response to the incident, the Pentagon referred inquiries to the Air Force, which had not provided an immediate comment regarding the matter. Concerns regarding the operations of military aircraft in the region have been heightened, particularly given the U.S. military’s increased drug interdiction efforts in the Caribbean and its ongoing pressure on the Venezuelan government.
To further contextualize the situation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a warning last month instructing U.S. aircraft to "exercise caution" while flying in or around Venezuelan airspace due to a deteriorating security situation and an uptick in military activity. The FAA's advisory underscores the complexities and risks associated with civilian air travel in areas of heightened military engagement.
During the communication with air traffic control, the controller responded to the JetBlue pilot's report by acknowledging the alarming presence of unidentified aircraft within the controlled airspace, stating, “It has been outrageous with the unidentified aircraft within our air.” This exchange exemplifies the broader concerns regarding air safety and coordination between military and civilian flights.
This incident has drawn attention to the need for clear protocols and communication between military operations and commercial aviation, particularly in regions where military activities are prominent. With the potential for serious consequences in the skies, collaboration and adherence to established aviation regulations remain critical for ensuring passenger safety.
