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An incident at Chicago’s Midway Airport has drawn attention after a Southwest Airlines flight was forced to abort its landing due to an unauthorized business jet on the runway. A video shared on social media captured the moment when Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 was about to touch down but instead initiated a go-around maneuver as the other aircraft crossed its path. Southwest Airlines later confirmed that the crew followed standard safety procedures, ensuring a safe landing shortly thereafter. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also acknowledged the event, stating that the business jet had entered the runway without proper authorization.
Audio recordings from air traffic control communications provided insight into the situation, revealing that the Southwest flight had been cleared to land on Runway 31C while the business jet, identified as FlexJet 560, was communicating on a different frequency with ground control. The recordings suggest a miscommunication regarding clearance, prompting the Southwest crew to take corrective action. The incident is now under review, and both the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Chicago Department of Aviation have yet to provide official statements.
This event comes amid heightened concerns about aviation safety, following a series of recent aircraft accidents. So far in 2025, multiple fatal crashes, including a commercial airline collision near Washington, D.C., and a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia, have underscored the challenges facing the industry. Additionally, reports of FAA staffing shortages and recent employee terminations have raised questions about the impact on air traffic management. As investigations continue, aviation officials are working to assess potential risks and reinforce safety protocols across the national airspace system.
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(Source: ABC Chicago)
