A JetBlue flight heading to New York was forced to stop climbing after coming dangerously close to a US Air Force aircraft, according to the airline and air traffic recordings.
A JetBlue flight from Curaçao narrowly avoided a midair collision on Friday after its pilot halted the plane’s ascent to avoid a US Air Force refueling tanker.
JetBlue Flight 1112 was traveling from Curaçao, near the coast of Venezuela, to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
According to a recording of the conversation with air traffic control, the JetBlue pilot blamed the military aircraft for crossing directly into the flight path. “We almost had a midair collision up here,” the pilot said. “They passed directly in our flight path. They don’t have their transponder turned on. It’s outrageous.”
The pilot told air traffic controllers that the military aircraft passed within about two to five miles of the JetBlue plane and was flying at the same altitude, forcing the commercial aircraft to stop climbing. The pilot added that the Air Force plane later headed toward Venezuelan airspace.
An air traffic controller acknowledged the concern, responding that it had been “outrageous with the unidentified aircraft within our air.”
JetBlue spokesperson Derek Dombrowski said the airline has reported the incident to federal authorities and will cooperate fully with any investigation. He also praised the flight crew for following proper procedures and promptly reporting the situation.
The US Department of Defense referred questions to the Air Force, which had not issued a comment at the time of reporting.
The incident comes as the US military has increased its operations in the Caribbean as part of anti-drug trafficking efforts and broader regional security activity. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration warned US aircraft to exercise caution when flying in or near Venezuelan airspace due to increased military activity and security concerns.
No injuries were reported, and the JetBlue flight continued safely to its destination.
