In brief
On a recent JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York City, the pilot had to halt the ascent to avoid a collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker. The pilot criticized the military aircraft for crossing their flight path without having its transponder on. JetBlue has reported the incident to federal authorities for further investigation, as concerns grow over heightened military activity in the region.
A JetBlue flight from the Caribbean nation of Curaçao experienced a close call on Friday as it ascended toward New York City’s JFK airport. The flight had to stop its climb to avoid colliding with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker, which the JetBlue pilot described as passing directly in front of them without operational transponder. The incident highlights the increasing military activities in the Caribbean as the U.S. ramps up efforts to address drug trafficking and apply pressure on Venezuela's government. JetBlue's spokesman confirmed that the airline is cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation of the incident, emphasizing the crew's adherence to safety protocols. The Pentagon referred inquiries to the Air Force, which has not yet commented on the episode.
