A Southwest Airlines plane and a private jet experienced a close call at Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday morning in which the flight crew had to perform a go-around to prevent a potential collision while trying to land.
Southwest Flight 2504 landed safely after the close call, the airline confirmed.
“The crew followed safety procedures and the flight landed without incident,” a Southwest spokesperson said. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
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The FAA said that a business jet entered the runway without proper authorization.
Air traffic controllers were heard instructing the business jet to hold short and not cross the runway, but the jet failed to comply. Data from FlightRadar24 indicates the planes were about 2,050 feet apart before Southwest initiated the go-around.
“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our Customers and Employees,” stated Southwest.
A representative from private jet operator Flexjet emphasized that the company “adheres to the highest safety standards” and is “conducting a thorough investigation.”
“Any necessary actions to rectify the situation and ensure the highest safety standards will be implemented,” the spokesperson added.
Both the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the incident.
