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A Spirit Airlines Airbus A321 operating flight NK1300 from Fort Lauderdale to Boston was instructed by air traffic control (ATC) to alter its course while flying over Long Island. The directive came as the aircraft approached within 11 miles of Air Force One, which was carrying President Donald Trump to the United Kingdom for a state visit.
The Spirit Airlines flight departed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 08:10 and followed a coastal route northward. Near the end of its journey, ATC intervened as the commercial jet neared the Boeing VC-25A transporting President Trump. According to CBS News, the two planes were closest at an 11-mile separation.
Controllers repeatedly told the Spirit crew to turn away from Air Force One, expressing increasing urgency. After compliance, ATC reportedly admonished the pilots with remarks including "pay attention [and] get off the iPad." Bloomberg also reported on ATC's frustration during the incident.
