Two Close Calls at JFK and LaGuardia Airports Could have Ended In Disaster

By FrumNews.com

Queens, NY — A near collision and a close calls at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York City could have been a potential disaster involving several planes. 

In the first incident, officials say, an April 17 Swiss Air flight bound for Zurich was moments away from takeoff when the pilot spotted other planes crossing the same runway after just beginning its taxi for takeoff and immediately aborted the takeoff upon seeing the crossing traffic.

In the second incident, on March 23rd, Southwest Airlines Flight 147 flew too close to LaGuardia Airport’s air traffic control tower and went off course around 1 PM as intense storms rolled through the area. An air traffic controller told the flight crew to perform a go-around, which is when a flight aborts its landing and gets back in the queue.

These aviation-related close calls have increased over the past couple of years. In 2023, there were six close calls. The Swiss Air and Southwest incident show that the disturbing trend has stopped and has stayed at the highs of 2023.

Both airports have to deal with congested airspace. At JFK, the runways run in an odd pattern, if an aircraft lands on one runway, it must cross another runway to the terminal. At LaGuardia, the two runways are shorter.

Baruch Hashem, no injuries were reported from both incidents, which are being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

According to reports, the shortage of aircraft controllers has increased the likelihood of incidents. Some have suggested that the shortage is due to DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) hiring across the aviation industry.