Spirit Airlines flight 1300 triggered multiple air traffic control alerts after flying dangerously close to Air Force One during a state visit by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to the United Kingdom.
Air traffic controllers issued repeated commands for the Spirit Airlines pilots to alter their course, according to recordings from liveatc.net. “Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right,” an air traffic controller urged, followed by urgent repetitions of the directive. Controllers also warned the flight about a nearby aircraft, stating, “Traffic off your left wing by six miles—or eight miles, 747. I’m sure you can see who it is.”
Flight data from flightradar24.com revealed that the Spirit Airbus A321 and Air Force One were initially eight miles apart before their closest approach, which occurred when they were 11 miles apart. The incident unfolded as the Spirit flight traveled from Fort Lauderdale to Boston.
A Spirit Airlines spokesperson stated the airline adhered to procedures and air traffic control instructions during the journey, which concluded with an uneventful landing in Boston.
The incident follows recent financial turmoil for the budget carrier, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month—the second time in less than a year. Spirit’s CEO, Dave Davis, cited ongoing challenges in restructuring debt and adapting to market pressures as reasons for the filing. The airline announced plans to reconfigure its network, optimize its fleet, and realign its strategy to address financial and operational hurdles.