Incident occurred near Venezuelan airspace
US Southern Command is reviewing a serious aviation incident after a JetBlue commercial flight and a US Air Force tanker aircraft nearly collided midair on Friday near Venezuela, according to air traffic control audio and official statements.
The JetBlue aircraft was en route from Curaçao to New York City when the pilot visually identified the military aircraft crossing its flight path, forcing the crew to halt their climb to avoid a potential collision.
Air traffic control audio reveals pilot concerns
Audio recordings captured the moment the JetBlue pilot alerted air traffic control, stating that the military tanker passed approximately 2 to 5 miles in front of the aircraft.
“They passed directly in our flight path. We had to stop our climb,” the pilot said. The pilot also expressed frustration, calling the situation “outrageous.”
Questions raised over transponder use
According to the pilot, the US Air Force tanker was operating without an active transponder. Transponders allow air traffic controllers to accurately track aircraft position, altitude and identity through coded signals.
No squawk code was transmitted during the incident. While military aircraft may operate without transponders during certain missions, the absence of the signal raised safety concerns from the commercial flight crew.
Military and airline responses
In a statement, US Southern Command emphasized that its aircrews are highly trained and operate under established procedures and airspace requirements. The command said it is reviewing the situation through appropriate channels.
“Safety remains a top priority,” said spokesperson Colonel Manny Ortiz, adding that the command is assessing the facts surrounding the incident.
JetBlue confirmed that the flight crew promptly reported the event to company leadership and federal authorities and said the airline will cooperate fully with any investigation.
Complex airspace and regional tensions
A US official familiar with the review said the tanker aircraft was operating within approved proximity limits and noted that military flights without transponders are not uncommon. In some regions, military and civilian aircraft may operate simultaneously without a single agency exercising full control over the airspace.
The incident occurred amid heightened US Venezuela tensions, with US Southern Command increasing operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, including actions targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels.
Investigation ongoing
Officials said the review is continuing to determine whether procedures were followed correctly and whether any additional safeguards are needed to prevent similar incidents in shared airspace.