A Southwest Airlines flight was involved in a shocking near miss as it narrowly avoided colliding with a private jet at Chicago Midway Airport this past Tuesday, around 8:50 AM. Video footage from the airport’s webcam captured Southwest Flight 2504 as it approached the tarmac, only to see a Flexjet business jet pull across its path, forcing the larger Boeing 737-800 to ascend back up to avoid what could have been a disastrous collision.
The incident unfolded as the two aircraft approached dangerously close to one another. Flight data revealed they were about 2,050 feet apart vertically when the Southwest plane flew over the smaller private jet at approximately 900 feet. According to air traffic control audio, the pilot of the Southwest flight could be heard querying, "How’d this happen?" indicating the unexpected nature of the situation.
The Flexjet pilot had been cleared to cross one runway but was instructed to hold at another to allow the Southwest flight to land safely. Unfortunately, the private jet pilot miscommunicated the instructions, prompting the tower to clarify and reiterate the need to wait. Despite these instructions, the Flexjet approached the runway, compelling the Southwest crew to execute what's known as a "go-around," allowing them to avoid potential disaster.
"Your instructions were to hold short," one air traffic controller can be heard advising the Flexjet pilot after the near miss, emphasizing the breakdown of communication leading to the incident. Following the go-around, the Southwest flight returned to the airport and landed safely without incident.
Southwest Airlines responded to the close encounter by reaffirming their commitment to safety, stating, "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees." The company assured passengers and the flying public alike of their adherence to safety protocols amid incidents like this, which have heightened concerns surrounding the stability of air traffic operations.
Flexjet, the operator of the private jet involved, acknowledged the incident as it released its own statement: "Flexjet adheres to the highest safety standards and we are conducting a thorough investigation. Any action to rectify and guarantee these standards will be taken." This incident is not isolated, as runway incursions—a scenario where aircraft, vehicles, or people inadvertently enter an active runway—have seen troubling growth rates over recent years.
The FAA recorded 1,574 runway incursions across the U.S. in 2021, with figures rising to nearly 1,749 incidents annually since then. National transportation safety authorities, including the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), have launched investigations not just focusing on this event but are also reviewing several other significant aviation incidents from 2025, including fatal collisions and crashes.
One notable tragedy involved the collision of an American Airlines plane with a military Black Hawk helicopter, leading to the loss of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft. Recent near misses have raised questions on the adequacy of current safety and staffing levels. Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, even commented after the Southwest incident, indicating the urgent need for the FAA to address safety protocols thoroughly and revising air traffic management processes.
It is no secret; the FAA has been under significant pressure over underfitting resources, including being nearly 3,500 air traffic controllers short of optimal staffing levels. Staffing shortages and aging control technologies lay the groundwork for increased risks, especially considering the busy nature of major U.S. airports. Meanwhile, some members of Congress have recently pointed fingers at prior federal decisions, recalling the decision by the Trump administration to fire 352 FAA workers, including those pivotal to safety operations.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) shared his concern, stating, "Maybe not the best time to fire hundreds of FAA workers, tell the remaining workers you want to ‘put them in trauma.’" Murphy’s comments encapsulate the fears surrounding diminished operational capabilities as the trends of near misses seem to be on the rise.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, tasked with overseeing the compliance of safety norms, assured concerned parties through his earlier statements made post-incident, indicating, "these layoffs did not include any safety-critical positions or air traffic controllers." Nevertheless, as investigations commence, pressure mounts for necessary changes to air traffic operations amid increasing traffic and demand for safety from the flying public.
Aviation safety has entered the spotlight following this near miss, prompting both the FAA and NTSB to evaluate protocols and to provide transparent updates as investigations reveal new findings. For the immediate future, everyone hopes for swift resolutions to restore confidence following Tuesday's close encounter at Chicago Midway, marking another day on the books in the challenging world of air transportation.