Southwest flight nearly takes off from taxiway instead of runway

In the United States, a potentially dangerous incident occurred on March 20, 2025, at Orlando International Airport when Southwest Airlines Flight 3278 attempted to take off from a taxiway instead of the designated runway. The Boeing 737-800 had been scheduled for a flight to Albany, New York, and had begun its takeoff roll when air traffic controllers intervened, canceling the takeoff clearance. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among the crew or passengers, and the aircraft was safely stopped on the taxiway. The nearby taxiway runs parallel to the runway, which may have contributed to the crew's error. Following the incident, all passengers were accommodated on another flight heading to their original destination. Southwest Airlines is cooperating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) during their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event. The FAA highlighted the importance of this investigation in light of recent aviation safety concerns that have emerged, including various near-miss incidents and other serious aviation events across the country. This incident adds to the growing scrutiny of safety protocols within the aviation industry. Taxiways are essential to the operations of airports, allowing aircraft to navigate between terminals, hangars, and runways safely. However, they are not designed for takeoff or landing. The FAA has examined similar incidents in the past and is implementing enhanced safety measures at numerous airports to prevent runway incursions, emphasizing the critical need for accurate communication and awareness among flight crews. In December 2024, the FAA completed a safety review of Southwest Airlines due to prior incidents, underscoring the ongoing scrutiny of the airline's safety practices. Despite airline companies asserting that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, recent events have sparked public concern regarding aviation safety. High-profile incidents, such as a midair collision resulting in fatalities and serious crash situations involving other airlines, have added to the anxiety surrounding air travel. Flight crews and air traffic controllers undergo extensive training to handle these high-pressure situations, but this incident raises questions about whether additional measures and protocols are necessary to ensure the continued safety of passengers in the skies.