Runway Drama: Southwest Airlines Near-Miss Highlights Aviation Safety Concerns

A Southwest Airlines jet narrowly avoided a collision at Chicago Midway Airport when a business jet entered the runway unauthorized. The incident emphasizes ongoing concerns about aviation safety amid staffing and technology challenges in U.S. air traffic control. Democrats have criticized recent FAA staffing cuts under the Trump administration.

A Southwest Airlines jet faced a close call at Chicago Midway Airport after a business jet unauthorizedly entered the runway, forcing the Southwest aircraft to abort its landing. Known as Southwest Flight 2504, the plane narrowly avoided a collision by flying over the FlexJet Challenger on the runway, performing a go-around maneuver.

This incident is the latest in a concerning trend of near-misses in U.S. aviation, highlighting issues with safety and air traffic control staffing. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating runway incursion risks across major U.S. airports, underscoring the urgency for safety improvements in the industry.

Political figures, such as Senator Chris Murphy, have criticized recent FAA staffing cuts, suggesting these actions may exacerbate safety risks. Despite reassurances from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that safety-critical roles remained unaffected, the aviation industry and lawmakers press for modernization and increased air traffic control staffing to prevent future incidents.

(With inputs from agencies.)