Southwest Flight Avoids Near Collision with Private Jet at Midway Airport

CHICAGO, Ill. — A Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision with a private jet at Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday morning, prompting the flight crew to execute a go-around maneuver just before landing.

Southwest Flight 2504, which had arrived from Omaha, Nebraska, was preparing to land around 8:48 a.m. local time when the incident occurred. The airline confirmed that the flight crew took immediate action to avoid the private jet that was on the runway.

“The crew followed safety procedures and the flight landed without incident,” a spokesperson for Southwest Airlines said. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”

Video footage of the incident shows the Boeing 737-800 attempting to land before abruptly ascending again as the private jet began to cross its path. The aircraft completed its landing safely a short time later at approximately 9:02 a.m., and was parked at the gate by 9:10 a.m. with no injuries reported among the passengers and crew.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident to determine how the private jet was on the active runway during the landing attempt. Preliminary reports indicate possible communication errors between air traffic control and the pilots involved.

The FAA plans to review radar data, communication logs, and pilot statements as part of its investigation. Runway incursions and near-collision incidents have raised concerns in the past, leading the FAA to tighten safety measures at busy airports.

Aviation safety experts emphasize that go-arounds are a standard procedure when potential hazards are detected on a runway. “Go-arounds are a normal part of aviation safety protocols,” said John Spencer, an aviation safety analyst. “Pilots are trained to perform them whenever there’s a potential hazard on the runway.”

Passengers onboard Flight 2504 were reportedly not aware of the close call until after the aircraft safely landed. Southwest Airlines reassured its customers that the flight crew acted quickly and professionally to prioritize safety throughout the incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may also join the investigation efforts, aiming to improve runway safety standards and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Meanwhile, Chicago Midway International Airport remains operational, with no reported delays or cancellations as a result of this incident.

The event has sparked dialogue within the aviation industry about the need for advanced safety technologies that could enhance runway awareness. Initiatives like Runway Status Lights (RWSL) and Automated Surface Surveillance Systems are being explored to further improve safety measures across the sector.

As investigations continue, the aviation community remains focused on enhancing protocols to prevent future runway incidents, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to safety measures.