Quantcast

Sky Industry News

Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Major airline grounds Airbus A350 fleet, citing faulty engine component
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
United Airlines flight attendants are prepared to strike. Here's why it's still unlikely.
Transportation Secretary reaffirms stance on revoking pilots' licenses after near-miss incident
Policy
Webp sean
Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation | Official Website

In a recent interview, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said that pilots should lose their licenses if they commit errors leading to incidents. Circumventing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Duffy suggested that some recent safety events involving US airlines could be attributed to pilot error.

In an exclusive interview with NBC Nightly News, Duffy reaffirmed his stance following a near-miss at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). When asked if he still believed pilots should lose their licenses for mistakes, he responded, “Hell, yes. ”

The incident at Chicago-Midway involved a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger 350 and a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800. The business jet was crossing the runway as the Southwest flight was landing, prompting the latter to initiate a go-around maneuver. The 737-800 landed safely shortly after.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Following this incident, which resulted in no injuries, Duffy posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “It is imperative that pilots follow the instructions of air traffic controllers. If they do not, their licenses will be pulled. ”

The NTSB has announced its investigation into this runway incursion.

During the same interview, Duffy linked other recent incidents—including a mid- air collision over the Potomac River and a Delta Connection CRJ900 landing incident in Toronto—to pilot error. He stated: “There is some pilot error at play in each of these incidents. ”

In contrast, Jennifer Homendy, chairwoman of the NTSB, emphasized that further investigation was needed into why the Challenger 350 was taxiing across an active runway. She noted that it appeared to be an issue with the Flexjet crew following instructions from ground control.

This isn't the first time members of the Donald Trump administration have pre- empted NTSB investigations. Following a mid-air collision involving a PSA Airlines CRJ900 and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, Trump attributed blame to diversity policies without evidence.

Trump claimed on CNN that he had improved hiring standards within NAS from “very mediocre at best” during Obama’s tenure to “extraordinary.”

Diversity policies were also baselessly blamed for another incident involving Delta Connection at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Social media posts targeted DEI initiatives because one of the pilots was female.

Delta Air Lines responded on February 20 by correcting misinformation about Endeavor Air Flight 4819's crew: “Both crew members are qualified and FAA certified for their positions. ” They added details about both pilots' qualifications; notably highlighting that any claims against them were false.


Organizations Included in this History
More News

The Los Angeles City Council has approved a $5 billion Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

Mar 4, 2025

In 2025, private jet charter companies are redefining air travel by offering tailored flights in various aircraft, from sleek jets to versatile helicopters.

Mar 4, 2025

Embraer has unveiled its Q4 2024 and annual results, highlighting a 14% increase in commercial aircraft deliveries to 73 units.

Mar 4, 2025

Delta SkyMiles' elite status program offers various perks to its loyal and high-spending customers.

Mar 4, 2025

Dassault Aviation, a renowned French manufacturer of military aircraft and business jets, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1929 by Marcel Bloch as Societe des Avions Marcel Bloch.

Mar 4, 2025

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, the world of private aviation has boomed.

Mar 4, 2025