All articles tagged with #airspace safety
A JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York nearly collided with a US Air Force refuelling tanker near Venezuela, prompting an investigation. The incident raised concerns about airspace safety, especially as the military aircraft's transponder was off, and occurred amid increased military activity in the region. The Air Force is reviewing the event, and the FAA had recently issued warnings about Venezuelan airspace security.
The US Department of Transportation may close parts of the airspace due to air traffic controller shortages caused by a government shutdown and unpaid workers, raising concerns about safety and flight delays across the country.
The Trump administration has proposed new rules to streamline the approval process for commercial drone use in U.S. airspace, aiming to foster innovation while ensuring safety, including standards for drone construction and collision avoidance, with a 60-day public comment period.
Senator Ted Cruz is pushing for legislative changes to improve safety and oversight of military flights near airports, especially following a deadly airline crash, with proposals including enhanced ADS-B requirements and audits of military airspace procedures.
Despite ongoing conflicts and missile threats in the Middle East, Lebanon's Middle East Airlines (MEA) continues to operate, maintaining its crucial link to the outside world. Pilots have reported seeing missiles during flights, but airlines persist due to limited route options and established safety protocols. MEA's operations are supported by reassurances from the Lebanese government and foreign embassies that Beirut's airport will remain a civilian zone. The situation highlights the calculated risks airlines take to navigate restricted airspaces safely.
Ukraine's military intelligence accuses Russia of deliberately risking the lives of prisoners of war after a Russian military transport plane, allegedly carrying 65 Ukrainian PoWs, crashed in the Belgorod region near Ukraine. The plane was reportedly en route for a prisoner exchange, but Ukraine claims it was not informed to ensure safe airspace as on previous occasions. Russia's defence ministry alleges that Ukraine's air force fired anti-aircraft missiles, while Ukraine's military intelligence statement is seen as a tacit acknowledgement that it shot the plane down. The incident comes amid ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides engaging in prisoner swaps and continued military actions.