Airlines Warn of Rising Number of Close Calls in U.S. Skies

Aviation safety is once again under scrutiny as airline industry officials warn that close calls between aircraft are happening far more frequently than most travelers realize.

The concerns come just days after a Delta Air Lines flight was forced to abort its landing at Boston Logan International Airport when a cockpit collision alert indicated an American Airlines aircraft was preparing to take off from an intersecting runway. According to reports, the two planes were separated by only about 300 feet.

Industry representatives say incidents like the one in Boston are not isolated. A group representing the nation’s airlines claims hundreds of close calls occur daily across the country, many of which never receive public attention.

Recent high-profile incidents include two Southwest Airlines planes that came within 500 feet of each other near Nashville and an American Eagle regional jet that aborted a landing at New York’s JFK Airport before crossing the path of an Air Canada aircraft.

In response, the nation’s largest pilots union is again urging federal regulators or Congress to require all aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In technology, a GPS-based traffic awareness system that allows pilots to see nearby aircraft in real time. Safety advocates argue the technology could help prevent future accidents.

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended wider adoption of the technology for nearly two decades. Investigators noted that the American Airlines regional jet involved in the deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., earlier this year was not equipped with ADS-B In receivers.

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration continues efforts to address staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. The agency aims to add thousands of controllers by 2028, but the National Air Traffic Controllers Association says staffing levels remain well below what is needed to meet long-term safety demands.

Aviation officials stress that flying remains one of the safest forms of transportation, but many experts say continued investment in technology and staffing is critical to reducing the risk of future close calls.