The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a near-collision between a Southwest Airlines flight and a private jet Tuesday morning at Chicago’s Midway International Airport.
Video footage captured Southwest Flight 2504 nearly touching down before abruptly lifting off again to avoid a jet that had entered the runway without authorization.
The FAA confirmed that the Southwest crew performed a “go-around” maneuver after the private jet crossed its path on the runway.
Southwest Airlines stated that Flight 2504 later landed safely following the precautionary maneuver.
“The crew followed safety procedures and the flight landed without incident,” the airline said in a statement. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
The private jet involved in the incident was operated by Flexjet, a luxury charter service.
“Flexjet adheres to the highest safety standards, and we are conducting a thorough investigation,” a company spokesperson said. “Any necessary actions will be taken to ensure the highest level of safety.”
Audio recordings from Midway’s air traffic control tower indicate controllers had instructed aircraft to hold position at the runway intersection while the Southwest flight was approaching for landing.
Officials from the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Chicago Department of Aviation have not yet commented on the incident.
The near-miss at Midway comes amid a series of recent aviation safety incidents that have heightened concerns among travelers.
Over the weekend, two Delta Air Lines flights—one from Los Angeles and another from Atlanta—were forced to return shortly after takeoff due to reports of smoke on board.
Earlier this month, a Delta flight flipped onto its roof while landing in Toronto, injuring 21 passengers.
Additionally, two fatal plane crashes in January underscored ongoing safety concerns. A midair collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Washington, D.C., killed 67 people. Days later, a medical jet crashed near a Philadelphia mall, killing all six passengers and a civilian on the ground.
As aviation authorities continue investigations, airline crews have reassured passengers of their commitment to safety. A viral TikTok video captured a pilot addressing concerns before takeoff, telling travelers, “My first officer, flight attendants, and I place your safety as our highest priority.”
