On February 25, 2025, a Southwest Airlines flight narrowly avoided a collision with a private jet at Chicago Midway International Airport. As Southwest Flight 2504, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Omaha, Nebraska, was descending for landing, a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger 350 business jet crossed its path without authorization. The Southwest crew executed a go-around maneuver, ascending to avoid the private jet, and subsequently landed safely.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that the private jet’s pilot misinterpreted air traffic control instructions, leading to the unauthorized runway entry. The FAA confirmed that the Southwest crew followed proper safety procedures during the go-around.

This close call highlights ongoing concerns about runway incursions and aviation safety. Recent incidents, including a Delta aircraft emergency landing in Atlanta and a Delta plane catching fire in Toronto, have raised questions about air traffic control staffing and safety protocols. Despite these incidents, aviation experts emphasize that air travel remains statistically safe.