A recent incident involving a Spirit Airlines flight has raised concerns about air traffic safety after pilots received stern warnings from air traffic controllers to pay attention and turn away as they approached President Donald Trump's aircraft. The alarming encounter occurred over New York as President Trump was en route to the United Kingdom for a state visit.
Controllers issued urgent instructions to the Spirit Airlines pilot, with one saying, Pay attention. Get off the iPad, as Spirit Flight 1300 flew about eight miles parallel to Air Force One. Although the planes were not positioned dangerously close by FAA standards, the alerts underscored the importance of vigilance in air traffic control.
According to Spirit Airlines, the flight followed all procedures and air traffic control instructions, landing safely in Boston. A spokesman reiterated the company's commitment to safety, stating, Safety is always our top priority. An FAA preliminary investigation revealed that the aircraft maintained the required separation distance.
Audio recordings obtained from air traffic control revealed a series of urgent commands, including instructions to turn right to avoid any potential conflict. The controller warned the Spirit pilot about the proximity of a 747, indicating it was important to keep an eye on the well-known aircraft.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in the UK on Tuesday evening, reflecting the successful conclusion of their travel plans, despite the earlier incident with the Spirit flight.
