AeroMorning December 15, 2025

On Friday, December 12, 2025, JetBlue Flight 1112, an Airbus A320 operating a scheduled service from Curaçao to New York’s JFK Airport, narrowly avoided a mid‑air collision with a U.S. Air Force refuelling tanker aircraft over the southern Caribbean Sea, passengers and air traffic recordings indicate.

According to a recording of the pilot’s communication with air traffic control, the military tanker — reportedly a KC‑46 Pegasus‑type aerial refueler — approached directly into the JetBlue flight’s path at cruise altitude without its transponder activated, a device that transmits crucial position and altitude data to civilian radar systems.

The pilot described the situation as “outrageous” and said the aircraft passed within a few miles of the JetBlue flight on the same altitude, forcing the crew to halt their climb and take evasive action to maintain safe separation. He later commented over the radio:

“We almost had a mid‑air collision up here.”

Airline Response and Reporting

JetBlue confirmed that the crew followed established safety procedures, promptly reported the incident to federal authorities, and will participate fully in any investigation that follows. The airline emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority.

Military and Regulatory Reaction

The U.S. Southern Command acknowledged awareness of the incident and stated it is reviewing the situation with safety as a top priority, noting that U.S. military aircrews operate under established procedures and airspace requirements.

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had recently issued a warning to commercial carriers about potential hazards when flying over Venezuelan airspace, due to increased military activity and security concerns in the region — a factor that may have complicated coordination between civilian and military traffic systems.

Broader Context and Safety Concerns

The incident occurred amid a heightened U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, linked to broader geopolitical tensions involving the governments of the United States and Venezuela. Several senators have criticized exemptions to tracking requirements for military aircraft, arguing such rules undermine aviation safety after a tragic mid‑air collision earlier in 2025 that killed 67 people.

Aviation safety analysts warn that military flights with transponders turned off — often for operational reasons — introduce serious risks in shared airspace if not properly coordinated with civilian air traffic control.