BOSTON, MA – A close call at Boston’s Logan Airport has raised concerns about air traffic safety amid staffing shortages. Two passenger jets narrowly avoided a collision, with one Delta flight carrying over 300 passengers just 125 feet from landing when another aircraft crossed its path. The Delta flight from Paris was approaching the runway when a Cape Air plane took off on an intersecting runway, prompting air traffic controllers to act quickly.
Controllers instructed the Delta flight to abort its landing and circle back, while ordering the Cape Air flight to maintain a low altitude. The planes came within 3,800 feet of each other. Although the incident was attributed to controller error, the swift response averted a potential disaster.
This incident comes as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grapples with staffing shortages due to a government shutdown. Air traffic controllers, many of whom are working without pay, are calling in sick, exacerbating the problem. The FAA has acknowledged the critical shortage, which has led to significant flight disruptions.
In a related incident, a JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark experienced a sudden loss of altitude, causing chaos inside the cabin. Passengers and crew were tossed about, with some hitting the ceiling. The plane made an emergency landing in Tampa, and several individuals were hospitalized. The cause of the altitude drop remains unclear.
Nationwide, flight disruptions are mounting, with 32 air traffic control facilities reporting staffing shortages. An FAA source described the situation as unprecedented. The ongoing government shutdown has led to widespread delays and cancellations, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Travelers are experiencing significant delays, including one journalist who faced four canceled flights and extensive delays while traveling from Chicago to Newark. In Orlando, Florida’s busiest airport, planes were unable to land temporarily due to a lack of controllers.
Thousands of flight delays and cancellations continue to disrupt travel plans, with the situation deteriorating by the hour. As the government shutdown persists, the chaos is expected to last into the following week.