FAA investigates serious close calls involving Alaska Airlines and Republic Airways

In the United States, recent aviation incidents have raised alarms about runway safety and the protocols in place at major airports. At the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, two Alaska Airlines planes encountered a situation where their winglets touched during a pushback from the gate. This occurred on Saturday at around 12:15 p.m. local time, prompting a response from airport officials, although no injuries were reported among passengers. Those on board were transferred to other flights without any major disruptions. Alaska Airlines issued an apology for the inconvenience caused by the delays. Meanwhile, a separate but equally alarming incident unfolded at LaGuardia Airport in New York earlier in May 2023. There, a Republic Airways jet had to abort its takeoff to avoid a collision with a United Airlines plane that was taxiing across the runway. This close call occurred despite LaGuardia being equipped with an advanced surface radar system designed to enhance runway safety. Federal aviation authorities are investigating this incident as well, emphasizing concerns over having two planes so close in the airspace when safety measures were already in place. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have both taken an interest in the recent spate of runway incidents across the country. A concerning trend has been observed, with the number of close calls steadily increasing in recent years. Just earlier this year, a critical incident in Austin also highlighted the challenges that air traffic control faces in ensuring safety on the ground. Reports indicate that the number of serious runway incursions had peak moments in recent years, drawing the attention of safety experts and prompting calls for more robust preventative measures. In light of these recent occurrences, aviation officials are pondering their next steps to rectify the ongoing risks associated with runway operations. The FAA has signaled plans to implement additional warning systems at airports like LaGuardia, with the hopes of curtailing runway incursions. However, the rate of such incidents continues to hover around 30 per million takeoffs and landings, according to FAA statistics, with incidences involving near misses still being a significant concern for the industry. Stakeholders argue that enhancing technology and monitoring could play a crucial role in positive change while simultaneously urging continued vigilance and scrutiny in daily operations.