JetBlue flight narrowly avoids collision with US Air Force tanker near Venezuela

A JetBlue commercial flight narrowly avoided a collision with a US Air Force (USAF) refueling tanker approximately 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela on Friday. The incident involved JetBlue Flight 1112, operating from Curaçao to New York, and occurred in international airspace.

According to reports, the US military aircraft did not have its transponder activated, making it difficult for civilian systems to track its movement. The JetBlue pilot said the tanker crossed directly into the airliner’s flight path.

“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,” said the pilot of the commercial jet.

The Federal Aviation Administration had issued a notice in the previous month urging US operators to exercise caution when flying in Venezuelan airspace. This warning came amid increased US military operations in the Caribbean.

Senators have expressed concern over the potential risks arising from uncoordinated military and commercial flights. The incident has renewed calls for improved conflict avoidance systems between civilian and military aircraft.

The event underscores persistent challenges in managing shared airspace, especially where military and commercial activities intersect. Industry officials continue to monitor developments as regional military presence remains elevated.

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Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

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