Breaking News….
On Thursday morning, two JetBlue aircraft collided on the tarmac at Boston Logan International Airport.
The incident was confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration as well as the airline.
“A JetBlue aircraft entering a de-icing pad lane at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) came into contact with another JetBlue aircraft on an adjacent de-icing pad lane, causing damage to one aircraft’s winglet and the other aircraft’s tail section,” said a statement to Fox Business.
According to JetBlue, neither passengers nor crew members reported any injuries on either aircraft. For maintenance, both aircraft will be removed from operation.
The company hastened to reassure the public that “Safety is JetBlue’s priority, and we will work to determine how and why this incident occurred.”
The affected flights include JetBlue’s 777 to Las Vegas and JetBlue Flight 551 to Orlando.
The incident is not unique; it is part of a worrying trend that has emerged in the aviation industry as the number of airplane collisions on the runways rise amid congestion at airports.
According to a recent report by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), there were 79 runway incursions in 2023, up from 65 in 2022 and 51 in 2021.
Runway incursions are defined as events where an unauthorized aircraft, vehicle or person is on a runway, creating a collision hazard or a loss of separation with an aircraft taking off or landing. The report cites several factors that contribute to the increase in runway incursions, such as poor visibility, human error, communication breakdowns, inadequate signage and markings, and insufficient runway safety systems.
The ICAO warns that if the current trend continues, the risk of a catastrophic runway collision will increase significantly, posing a serious threat to the safety of passengers, crew and ground staff.
