On Tuesday, over Long Island, New York, air traffic controllers repeatedly ordered the pilots of Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 to change course away from Air Force One, which was carrying President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania on their way to a state visit in the UK.
Flight 1300 had departed Fort Lauderdale, heading to Boston. As the two jets flew roughly parallel, at one point the distance between them closed to about 8‑11 miles—still within FAA‑approved safety separation—but the controllers were insistent.
Audio from ATC captures the controller issuing several stern commands: “Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right … now … immediately,” followed by repeated admonitions such as “Pay attention,” and “Get off the iPad.” The controller pointed out that Air Force One was off the Spirit jet’s left wing by six to eight miles, adding color commentary about the presidential plane’s appearance.
Spirit Airlines has stated the flight did comply with ATC instructions and that it landed in Boston without incident. The FAA said in a preliminary assessment that required separation was maintained between the two aircraft throughout.
Source: Newsweek
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