JetBlue Flight Averts Midair Collision with U.S. Air Force Tanker

WASHINGTON (AP) — A JetBlue flight from the Caribbean nation of Curaçao came perilously close to a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker on Friday. The incident raised alarms about air safety and triggered a formal investigation request.

During the flight, JetBlue's captain reported to air traffic control that the military aircraft passed directly in front of the commercial airliner. “We almost had a midair collision up here,” the pilot stated in a recording of the conversation. He added, “They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous.”

The JetBlue Flight 1112 was en route from Curaçao to New York City's JFK airport when it encountered the military plane that had allegedly entered its flight path without proper identification. The pilot described the situation as incredibly dangerous, noting that the Air Force refueler was at the same altitude as his aircraft and nearly 2 or 3 miles ahead, forcing him to halt the flight's ascent.

In light of the recent escalation in U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, especially concerning drug interdiction and pressure on Venezuela's government, this incident underscores growing tensions in the region. Following the near-collision, JetBlue's spokesperson informed the media that the company had reported the incident to federal authorities and was prepared to cooperate with any investigation.

The Pentagon has not yet commented on the matter, directing inquiries to the Air Force, which has similarly not provided an immediate response. The Federal Aviation Administration had previously issued warnings urging U.S. aircraft to exercise caution in Venezuelan airspace due to heightened military activity and security concerns.

According to the air traffic controller's response captured in the recording, there was growing frustration over the presence of unidentified aircraft in commercial airspace: “It has been outrageous with the unidentified aircraft within our air.”

This incident is indicative of the challenges that commercial airlines face in maintaining safety when military operations intersect with civilian air traffic, especially in sensitive regions like the Caribbean.