A Spirit Airlines flight was instructed by air traffic controllers to change course after flying too close to Air Force One carrying President Donald Trump over Long Island on Tuesday.
According to Breitbart, the commercial flight was traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston when it came within eight miles of the presidential aircraft. The incident occurred as President Trump was en route to the United Kingdom for a state visit.
Air traffic recordings captured controllers repeatedly instructing Spirit Airlines flight 1300 to alter its course with increasing urgency. The controller was heard saying, "Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right. Pay attention, Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right," before emphasizing "immediately" in subsequent communications.
Presidential Aircraft Security Protocols Activated
Flight data from flightradar24.com revealed that the two aircraft were flying parallel to each other approximately eight miles apart when the incident occurred. An air traffic controller pointed out the presidential aircraft to the Spirit pilots, saying, "Pay attention. Spirit 1300 traffic off your left wing by six mi– or eight miles, 747. I'm sure you can see who it is. Keep an eye out for him — he's white and blue."
The controller's communications suggest growing concern about the proximity of the commercial flight to the presidential aircraft. At one point during the exchange, an air traffic controller was heard making the remark, "Pay attention. Get off the iPad," though it's unclear if this was directed at the Spirit pilots.
Spirit Airlines later issued a statement addressing the incident, emphasizing their commitment to safety protocols. "Safety is always our top priority. Spirit Airlines flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston and landed uneventfully (in Boston)," a company spokesperson told CBS News.
Aviation Authorities Assess Separation Standards
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) quickly responded to the incident with a preliminary investigation. According to the FAA statement cited in the report, "Preliminary investigation shows aircraft maintained the required separation."
Despite the official assessment that safety parameters were maintained, the urgency in the controller's voice indicated the situation warranted immediate attention. The repeated instructions for the Spirit flight to alter course suggested controllers were concerned about the aircraft's proximity to Air Force One.
CBS News reported that the Spirit pilot's responses were inaudible in the air traffic control recordings due to static interference. The news outlet noted that while the planes were never at what the FAA would consider an unsafe distance, they "clearly got closer than controllers wanted them to be."
Presidential Travel Security Measures
The incident occurred as President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and their entourage were traveling to the United Kingdom for an official state visit. Air Force One, the call sign for any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the president, operates under special security protocols when in flight.
Presidential aircraft typically receive heightened security measures and special handling from air traffic control when in operation. These procedures are designed to maintain a secure perimeter around the aircraft at all times during flight.
The Spirit Airlines flight continued to its destination in Boston without further incident following the course correction. The commercial flight landed safely after complying with the air traffic control instructions to alter its trajectory away from the presidential aircraft.
Air Traffic Management Implications
The incident highlights the complex coordination required in managing commercial air traffic alongside high-security government flights. Air traffic controllers must maintain separation standards between all aircraft while giving special consideration to flights carrying high-ranking government officials.
The exchange between controllers and the Spirit flight demonstrates the protocols in place when commercial aircraft come too close to restricted airspace or sensitive government flights. Controllers have the authority to issue immediate course corrections to maintain proper separation between aircraft.
The FAA's statement confirming that required separation was maintained suggests that while the situation warranted immediate action, established safety parameters were not violated. This indicates that the air traffic control system functioned as designed to prevent potential conflicts between aircraft.
