Refueling Tanker Without Active Transponder Revives Airspace Safety Concerns

A JetBlue flight en route from Curacao to New York was forced to yield to a US Air Force tanker that passed directly through its projected flight path near Venezuelan airspace. The incident occurred roughly 40 miles off the Venezuelan coast and prompted the JetBlue crew to warn controllers of an immediate collision risk.

According to ATC audio, the military aircraft was flying at the same altitude and within only a few miles of the Airbus A320 when it crossed ahead of JetBlue. The crew reported that the tanker’s transponder was not operating, meaning it was not broadcasting its position or altitude to civilian traffic or air traffic control. The JetBlue pilot later spoke about the incident, calling it “outrageous” and claiming they “almost had a mid-air collision.”

The so-called near-miss drew quick attention from lawmakers. Visibility of military aircraft in shared airspace has been at the forefront of legal discussions since January, when a US Army flying through the DCA approach corridor collided with an American Eagle passenger jet, killing all 67 people involved. Debates on the topic were reignited when the new NDAA was released with a provision that gives the military discretion to keep its aircraft dark.

"This is not acceptable," said US Senator Maria Cantwell. "You don't have corridors where military aircraft and commercial planes are flying and then not letting each other know that they are in that space. We just can't have that."

The US Southern Command unapologetically acknowledged the event, reiterating that its aircrews are highly trained and operate under established procedures. This drew the conversation back to compliance: military aircraft frequently fly without their transponders on, and can still end up uncomfortably close without breaking any rules.

The situation comes amid heightened US military activity in the southern Caribbean, where tensions with Venezuela have escalated and airlines have already been advised to steer clear. The FAA issued warnings last month about potentially hazardous conditions in the region, and several international carriers have suspended flights entirely.

FMI: www.jetblue.com