FAA Grounds Southwest Flights – Panic struck Chicago on February 25, 2025, and now the fallout’s here. The FAA grounded select Southwest Airlines flights late Thursday after a near-crash at Midway Airport rattled nerves. That FAA Southwest grounding move has travelers buzzing—what’s safe anymore? This USA aviation news 2025 story is heating up fast. Here’s the latest.
Why Did the FAA Act?
It was too close. Southwest Flight 2504, landing from Omaha, nearly smashed into a Flexjet plane that crossed the runway without clearance. Pilots yanked the Boeing 737 skyward in a daring go-around, dodging disaster by seconds. The FAA and NTSB launched probes, and tonight, regulators hit pause on some Southwest ops. Safety’s the word—Midway Airport scare shook everyone.
Key facts
- When: Grounding ordered February 27, evening.
- Why: Flexjet’s “unauthorized” runway move.
- What: Select flights halted for checks.
X users freaked—one posted, “Southwest grounded? Flying’s a mess!”
What’s Happening Now?
Southwest’s scrambling. The airline confirmed “minimal disruptions” but didn’t say how many flights got axed. FAA brass blamed Flexjet’s crew, per NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy on TV. Midway’s tight runways—already dicey—face fresh heat. Passengers at the Chicago hub saw delays pile up Thursday night as crews ran safety sweeps.
How Will This Hit Travelers?
The FAA Southwest grounding stings. Evening flights out of Midway slowed, with ripple effects nationwide. Southwest’s a big player—79,594 departures from Midway in 2024 alone. Experts like Henry Harteveldt warn this could mean tighter rules or more go-arounds. X chatter’s wild—one flyer asked, “Canceled my trip—safe to fly?”
What’s at stake
- Delays: Expect hiccups through Friday.
- Trust: Flyers question Midway’s safety rep.
- Fixes: FAA audit of 45 airports ramps up.
What’s Next for Southwest?
The clock’s ticking. FAA and NTSB digs could take weeks—early reports might drop in 30 days. Southwest’s praising its pilots, but Flexjet’s catching flak. President Trump weighed in on X: “Private jet pilot’s fault!” Will this Midway Airport scare spark big changes? USA aviation news 2025 has its eyes peeled.
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