Philadelphia International Airport now has biometric facial comparison technology that will be used to expedite arrivals for U.S. citizens returning to the country from abroad.
Michael Tanenbaum
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Philly airport installs new biometric tech to speed up inspections of U.S. citizens returning from abroad
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Ground delay temporarily in place Saturday night at LAX
There was a ground delay at Los Angeles International Airtport on Saturday night temporarily affecting incoming flights, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flights coming to LAX were delayed an average of 98 minutes, the FAA website showed around 10:50 p.m. The delay order included all contiguous U.S. flights. An FAA advisory listed staffing as the impacting condition for the delay.
Spokespersons for the FAA and LAX couldn’t be reached for comment late Saturday night.
It appeared the delay, which ABC7 reported started around 7 p.m., had been lifted by around 11:30 p.m.
By then, LAX no longer appeared on the FAA’s list of airports affected by delays.
Ruby Gonzales
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FAA scrambles to hire 8,900 air traffic controllers by 2028 as shortage reaches crisis levels
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Eastman, GA – A nationwide air traffic controller shortage has put new attention on a growing training option the FAA now approves for certain colleges.
The recent federal government shutdown highlighted how thin staffing has become, especially as delays and reroutes stacked up across the country.
The FAA says it wants to hire at least 8,900 new controllers by 2028. According to FAA workforce data analyzed by USAFacts, about 3,000 controller positions were vacant nationwide as of late 2024 — though not every facility is equally understaffed.
That shortage is driving interest in a newer FAA-approved college pathway designed to streamline controller training at a small group of universities — including Middle Georgia State.
Training ramps up in difficulty as students learn to manage more aircraft at once on radar. (Fox News)
The Enhanced AT-CTI program allows students to train to the same standard as the FAA Academy, and if hired and meeting FAA requirements such as passing the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA), medical and security clearances, they can go directly to a facility instead of completing the full academy in Oklahoma City, which can involve long waitlists and multi-month courses.
Graduates still undergo facility-specific training and must be certified on-the-job before becoming full controllers.
Only about nine schools nationwide have been approved to offer the new Enhanced AT-CTI program as of 2025, according to Kemarie Jeffers, the department chair of aviation science and management at Middle Georgia State.
Inside Middle Georgia State’s tower simulator, air traffic control student Brooke Graffagnino says the job’s intensity is what drew her in. “It kind of gets your chest beating, because with how much traffic there is, sometimes it is intense,” she said.
HOUSE DEMOCRAT SIDES WITH TRUMP OFFICIALS ON AIR TRAFFIC CUTS AMID SHUTDOWN CHAOS
Students also train inside the on-campus control tower, gaining experience with real airport operations. (Fox News)
She says students quickly find out whether they’re suited for the job. “You can kind of tell who does not [love it]. There have been quite a few, and they are no longer here. It takes a lot to get through it,” she said.
Graffagnino says the importance of the work became clearer as she learned how controllers keep busy airspace organized. “Once you get in the airspace that is super crowded or approaching the larger airports like Atlanta, you need someone to help coordinate and keep everything separate and safe,” she said.
Middle Georgia State was approved as an Enhanced AT-CTI school in mid-2024. Jeffers says the impact was immediate.
“Before our program had maybe about 17 to 20 students. Right now we have 54. So we have already, in that short amount of time, almost tripled in size the amount of students that we have,” he said.
An instructor helps a student navigate radar-based air traffic training during an advanced simulation. (Fox News)
To earn the enhanced designation, Jeffers said the school had to update its curriculum, overhaul parts of its simulator setup, and install new audio and video systems.
“We’ve upgraded a lot of our equipment… we had to install audio and video equipment upstairs in our tower sim,” he said.
Those upgrades allow the FAA to remotely review or spot-check training sessions and ensure they meet federal standards.
FAA TO LIFT EMERGENCY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS MONDAY MORNING AS AIR TRAFFIC STAFFING REBOUNDS
The program’s biggest distinction is what happens after graduation. “Enhanced CTI eliminates your requirement of going to the academy. You will graduate here and you can go straight to work,” Jeffers said. “So it saves you time and effort — again, it gets you to work sooner and making money quicker.”
The FAA requires enhanced programs to employ instructors with controller experience and maintain simulator equipment comparable to FAA standards.
A comparison of the traditional FAA route to becoming an air traffic controller and the newer Enhanced AT-CTI pathway. (Fox News)
As students advance, the simulations become more complex, requiring trainees to manage more aircraft at once.
“As we get more comfortable and confident, we are able to allow more aircraft into the airspace at a time,” Graffagnino said.
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Before finishing the program, every student must pass a final simulation that mirrors the FAA Academy’s evaluation process.
“Our instructors will then run a scenario and they will be graded… the exact same way in which they will be graded at the academy,” Jeffers said.
According to the FAA’s FY 2025 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan, the agency anticipates about 2,000 hires in FY 2025, 2,200 in FY 2026, and incremental increases through 2028, though retirements are expected to offset much of that growth.
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Neighbors outraged as LA airport becomes ground zero for AI-driven flying taxis
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Archer Aviation, a leading developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, just made one of its boldest moves yet. The company agreed to acquire Hawthorne Airport for $126 million in cash.
According to Archer’s latest shareholder letter, the deal includes the remaining 30 years on the airport’s master lease and an exclusive option to take a controlling stake in the on-site fixed-base operator, subject to city approval.
This historic 80-acre site includes about 190,000 square feet of terminals, office space and hangars. Its location near LAX and major Los Angeles destinations makes it a prime spot for an air taxi network that aims to change how people move in crowded cities.
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A rendering of Archer’s development plans for Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles. (Archer Aviation)
Why Hawthorne Airport matters for the new air taxi network
Archer Aviation plans to use the airport as the main operational hub for its LA air taxi network. The company also plans to prepare the site to support transportation during the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This includes managing everything from takeoff scheduling to ground operations. In its shareholder letter, Archer frames Hawthorne as a “plug-and-play” anchor hub for its LA28 Olympic plans, saying it expects to ramp up aircraft testing, storage, maintenance and charging on-site as it prepares for commercial service.
The airport will also become a test bed for next-generation AI-powered aviation systems. These tools will help Archer develop smarter air traffic management, faster turnaround times and safer operations in crowded airspace.
Archer outlines a two-phase plan in the letter. Phase 1 focuses on redeveloping up to 200,000 square feet of hangars and locking in control of the FBO, while Phase 2 layers in AI air traffic and ground management, smart sensor-embedded runways and a more digital, streamlined passenger experience.
United Airlines CFO Michael Leskinen praised the move and said, “Archer’s trajectory validates our conviction that eVTOLs are part of the next generation of air traffic technology that will fundamentally reshape aviation. Their vision for an AI-enabled operations platform isn’t just about eVTOLs, it’s also about leveraging cutting-edge technology to better enable moving people safely and efficiently in our most congested airspaces. Through United’s investment arm, United Airlines Ventures, we’re investing in companies like Archer that pioneer technologies that will define and support aviation infrastructure for decades to come.”
Meanwhile, Hawthorne Mayor Alex Vargas celebrated the deal on social media, writing “WELCOME ARCHER TO THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE!”
Archer plans to turn Hawthorne Airport into the main hub for its LA air taxi network. (Archer Aviation)
Neighbors outraged over ‘AI air taxi’ takeover
Not everyone is cheering Archer’s plan to turn Hawthorne into a flagship hub for AI-guided flying taxis. A local group called Hawthorne Quiet Skies, made up of residents living around the airport, says it was blindsided by the $126 million takeover and that no one from the company or city bothered to engage it before announcing a “test bed for AI-powered aviation technologies” over homes.
Neighbors who live just across the street and within a couple of blocks of the runway describe Hawthorne as one of the most tightly packed airports in the country, with homes on three sides and years of complaints about deafening jet and helicopter noise. The city’s own 2021 noise study identified more than 160 homes and roughly 480 people already exposed to unhealthy noise levels, yet residents say there has been “zero progress” on mitigation even as the airport shifted from small private planes to commercial traffic and now an around-the-clock eVTOL hub.
The group is also raising alarms about Archer’s AI ambitions, pointing to academic research that current machine-learning systems in aviation still struggle to handle unusual conditions and lack formal safety guarantees.
They argue that whatever the promises of cleaner, futuristic air taxis, Hawthorne is being used as a live test site without clear safeguards, updated federal noise rules or any serious plan to compensate families if nonstop eVTOL traffic makes their homes too loud to live in.
CHINA’S FIRST MASS-PRODUCED FLYING CAR DEBUTS
How Archer Aviation is funding growth and expanding its air taxi program
Alongside the airport news, Archer reported major financial momentum. The company raised an additional $650 million in equity, which boosted its total liquidity to more than $2 billion. The company’s Midnight aircraft also hit new flight milestones, including a 55-mile flight at over 126 mph and a climb to 10,000 feet.
Archer also expanded its global technology footprint. It completed the acquisition of Lilium’s patent portfolio, which pushes Archer’s total intellectual property to more than 1,000 global assets. Those patents cover ducted fans, high voltage systems, flight controls and other key technologies.
International expansion is underway, too. Archer began test and demo flights in the UAE and secured new partnerships with Korean Air and with Japan Airlines and Sumitomo’s JV in Osaka and Tokyo.
The airport will serve as a test bed for next-generation AI aviation systems designed to manage busy airspace more safely. (Archer Aviation)
What this means for you
Archer’s airport deal suggests that air taxis are moving closer to everyday use. This shift could mean shorter trips across major cities at a fraction of today’s travel time. It could also bring quieter aircraft over neighborhoods compared to helicopters.
For Los Angeles residents, Hawthorne Airport may become a central point for fast point-to-point travel once certification moves forward. Visitors flying in for major events like the LA28 Olympics could see air taxis as a smooth alternative to gridlocked freeways.
Businesses may gain new options for rapid transport across the region. The move also signals more investment and jobs in advanced aviation, automation and clean electric travel.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Archer’s acquisition of Hawthorne Airport marks a major milestone in the race to build a real air taxi network, giving the company the aircraft, funding and prime location it needs to push the industry forward. Its focus on AI-driven operations shows how automated aviation may soon play a much bigger role in daily life, even as regulators are still working out how to safely integrate these aircraft into crowded cities. At the same time, the move is already sparking backlash from neighbors who worry about more noise and safety risks and being turned into a test site for AI-guided aircraft without a real say. If Archer can win over regulators, investors and the communities living just beyond the fence line, this step could make the future of urban flight feel much closer, for better or worse.
If air taxis become a real option in Los Angeles by 2028, would you try one for your daily commute or stick to the ground? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Apple Launches Digital U.S. Passport ID in Apple Wallet
iPhone users can now add their U.S. passport details to Apple Wallet for faster, more secure identity verification at TSA checkpoints
Apple has launched a new feature that allows iPhone users to store their U.S. passport details in their digital wallets, providing a quicker and more secure way to verify one’s identity at an airport checkpoint. This “Digital ID” system will “roll out first in beta” at over 250 U.S. airports for in-person identity verification during domestic travel.
“You can breeze through more than 250 TSA checkpoints faster and more securely than ever before,” the TSA website states.
The Digital ID feature is aimed at streamlining domestic air travel, especially for those who don’t have a Real ID or prefer not to carry their physical passport around. However, Apple clarified that the Digital ID does not replace a physical passport and with that, cannot be used for international travel or border crossings.
To set up the Digital ID, iPhone users must open up their Wallet app, tap the plus sign, and select the “Digital ID” option. They will scan their passport’s photo page and authenticate the date by placing the iPhone on the chip embedded in the passport’s back page. Users will then complete identity verification by taking a selfie and performing specific head movements like turning their head and/or closing their eyes.
Once the setup is complete, travelers are able to present their Digital ID at TSA checkpoints by double-clicking the power button on their iPhone or Apple Watch, bringing up the Wallet app, and holding the device up to the TSA reader. The machine will take a photo for verification, and users will confirm their identity through Face ID or Touch ID.
Apple emphasized that all passport data is encrypted and stored securely on one’s device, ensuring the company cannot view when or where the Digital ID is used. This biometric security ensures that only the passport owner can release the information when they need it.
The Digital ID feature is expected to start easing into airport security, specifically before the busy holiday travel season, and is part of Apple’s larger push to integrate digital identity features. While currently available in beta, it is a step toward expanding mobile IDs for various forms of identification, with more states already accepting mobile IDs at TSA checkpoints.
More information is available on the TSA’s website. Click here to view.
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Melissa Houston
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Travelling soon? Know how to navigate flight cancellations now
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Flying soon? Listen up.
GOP LAWMAKER WARNS OF POSSIBLE FOOD, MEDICINE SHORTAGES AS FLIGHTS GROUNDED
At 40 of the country’s busiest airports, flights coming and going will be reduced by 10% this week.
Travelers go through TSA airport security at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in SeaTac, Wash. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
That means thousands of flights canceled, or in other words, 200,000 fewer seats and butts in the air per day. Blame it on a record‑long government shutdown.
FLIGHT CHAOS GRIPS US AIRPORTS AS SOME AIRLINES ADVISE BOOKING ‘BACKUP TICKET’: SEE THE LIST
Major hubs will be the hardest hit: Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York‑JFK, Chicago O’Hare and many more. Together, those 40 airports cover roughly 70% of U.S. flights, so yes, even if you’re in Hicksville, you feel it.
Your “flightmare” survival plan
A traveler waits with his luggage at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., on Nov. 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
Your “flightmare” survival plan
If you plan on flying anywhere, here’s what you do.
- Book the first flight of the day. Yea, it’s a bummer, but flights departing before 9 a.m. are about twice as likely to fly as those later in the day.
- Download your airline’s app now. This is your fastest route to real‑time rebooks and alerts.
- Use the MyTSA app. Get live security wait times, so you’re not stuck in a five‑hour shuffle line that’s already happening.
- Check your seat map. Oddly empty flight = higher risk of cancellation. Full flight = safer bet.
- Know your rights. If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to the cuts, you’re legally entitled to a cash refund, not just some future credit.
- Have a Plan B. Rental car one‑way pickups are up 20% this week. Trains or even a longer drive might save your holiday.
SHUTDOWN’S IMPACT AT AIRPORTS WILL WORSEN, SAYS TSA — TRAVELERS SHOULD ‘GO EARLY’ AND ‘BE PATIENT’
Gas prices are down (average around $3.08), so a road trip could really make sense.
Don’t wait. Don’t assume. Keep checking, stay flexible and treat your travel like you’d treat a storm warning: Get ahead of it, not behind it.
Travelers head down an escalator after clearing through a security checkpoint in Denver International Airport Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)
Pass this on: Know someone flying soon? Don’t leave them grounded. Forward this post before they end up sleeping in an airport chair with their neck at a 90-degree angle. Sharing this could save a trip, a holiday or at least someone’s sanity. And hey, we’ve all got that one friend who needs the reminder to download the airline app before they get to the gate.
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House Democrat sides with Trump officials on air traffic cuts amid shutdown chaos
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A Democratic lawmaker is backing the Trump administration’s decision to reduce air traffic as a consequence of the ongoing government shutdown.
Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said, “Safety must always be the highest priority” for the aviation industry in a statement on Thursday evening.
“The decision by Secretary Duffy to reduce flights at America’s 40 busiest airports is the right call for the safety of the flying public,” Stanton wrote on X. “Now it’s critical that Republicans and Democrats get together and reach a bipartisan agreement on a plan to reduce health costs and end the shutdown.”
GOP LAWMAKER WARNS OF POSSIBLE FOOD, MEDICINE SHORTAGES AS FLIGHTS GROUNDED
Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton said the Trump administration’s decrease in air traffic was the “right call.” (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images; Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images )
He concluded, “Arizona deserves better, and so do the hardworking professionals who keep our skies safe.”
Friday marks the 38th day of the government shutdown. Bipartisan Senate efforts to end the standoff have still not produced a clear off-ramp.
Thousands of federal employees have been furloughed as agencies and critical programs run low on funds, while government workers deemed “essential” have been forced to work without pay for weeks.
People in the latter group include air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, many of whom have been forced to take second jobs and call out sick to make ends meet.
Travelers look at the flight information display system at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 3, 2025. (Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directed a 4% reduction in air traffic across 40 of the busiest airports in the U.S., taking effect on Friday.
That reduction will gradually ramp up to 10% by Nov. 14 if the shutdown does not end by then.
An emergency order issued by the FAA said the reduction would ensure the National Airspace System could “maintain the highest standards of safety” amid shortages fueled by the shutdown.
AMERICANS COULD FACE AIRPORT CHAOS IF DEMS DON’T END SHUTDOWN, TRUMP OFFICIAL WARNS
That includes Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the largest airport serving Stanton’s district.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks alongside Rep. Tom Emmer and House Speaker Mike Johnson during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Oct. 23, 2025. (Eric Lee/Getty Images)
Stanton’s nearby 4th Congressional District encompasses parts of Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs, including portions of Tempe and Mesa.
Back in Washington, whose two main airports are also affected by the reduction order, Democratic leaders are still publicly insisting that any funding deal be paired with an extension of COVID-19-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of this year.
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Republicans have argued against partisan policy riders in a funding bill to end the shutdown.
Stanton was among the House Democrats who voted against the GOP’s funding proposal when it passed the House on Sept. 19.
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Flight chaos grips US airports as some airlines advise booking ‘backup ticket’: See the list
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Over 1,000 flights are now experiencing delays as flight cancellations grow during the government shutdown.
As of 9:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, 1,094 flights within, into or out of the U.S. had been delayed, while 49 had been canceled, according to FlightAware.com.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a flight reduction plan limiting air travel capacity to 40 airports.
AMERICANS COULD FACE AIRPORT CHAOS IF DEMS DON’T END SHUTDOWN, TRUMP OFFICIAL WARNS
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told “Fox & Friends” on Thursday travelers might see additional delays.
“Now, does that mean there’s going to be no delays? No … there’s potentially still going to be delays if we have staffing triggers, and we don’t have enough controllers in an aerospace where we did cut 10%, you might see additional delays,” said Duffy.
The U.S. government shutdown has triggered 1,000-plus flight delays as the FAA cuts capacity at 40 airports. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)
Many airlines are updating customer policies and warning travelers of potential itinerary updates.
Here are a few worth noting.
United Airlines
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby updated employees in a press release about the impact of FAA reductions.
“United’s long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted,” wrote Kirby.
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The Chicago-based airline is offering refunds to customers who do not want to fly during imposed restrictions on flights, “even if their flight isn’t impacted.”
Travelers will be notified if there are any changes to their flight through the United app, website and push notifications.
Airlines offer refunds and policy changes amid ongoing travel disruptions. (Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images)
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is evaluating how the flight restrictions will “affect our schedule and will communicate directly with customers as soon as possible,” according to the company’s website.
The Dallas-based airline is reminding travelers they must cancel their reservations at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time in accordance with airline policy.
American Airlines
American Airlines wrote in a press release that the company “expect[s] the vast majority of [its] customers’ travel will be unaffected.”
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However, American says it will reach out to customers as schedule changes are made.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline is placing pressure on Congress, emphasizing the strain on the aviation industry.
“As we come into Thanksgiving, if we’re still in the shutdown posture, it’s going to be rough out there,” said Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
“We continue to urge leaders in Washington to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown,” the release added.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines will waive change or cancellation fees for flights between Nov. 6 to Nov. 12, and travelers will be refunded through travel credits for their itinerary, the company said.
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Frontier CEO Barry Biffle shared travel advice with followers on Instagram.
“If you are flying Friday or in the next 10 days, and need to be there or don’t want to be stranded, I highly recommend booking a backup ticket on another carrier,” wrote Biffle.
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Duffy shared that Americans should still book holiday travel if they see deals they would like to grab, but also said it is “hard to predict” what may happen.
“As we come into Thanksgiving, if we’re still in the shutdown posture, it’s going to be rough out there. Really rough,” said Duffy. “And we’ll mitigate the safety side, but will you fly on time? Will your flight actually go? That is yet to be seen, but there’ll be more disruption.”
Rachel Wolf of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
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FAA Says It Will List Airports Where It’s Reducing Flights During The Government Shutdown – KXL
Associated Press – The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to list where it plans to scale back flights by 10% starting Friday.
The agency says it will release details Thursday.
It says flights are being reduced to maintain safety during the government shutdown.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since Oct. 1. And many are working mandatory overtime.
Officials warn there could be chaos next week if controllers miss a second full paycheck.
Staffing-related flight delays had been largely isolated and temporary throughout October.
But the past weekend brought some of the worst staffing issues since the start of the shutdown.
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Grant McHill
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UPS cargo plane engine fell off before fiery Kentucky crash that killed 12; FBI investigating
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The left engine of the UPS cargo plane involved in the fiery crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky Tuesday fell off during takeoff, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed Wednesday.
UPS Flight 2976 crashed with three crew members on board and more than 200,000 pounds of fuel into the Kentucky Petroleum Recycling building after departing from SDF at about 5:15 p.m. ET Tuesday, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
At least 12 people are dead, including the three crew members onboard and a young child, and 11 others on the ground were injured, Beshear said.
Though the cause of the crash has not yet been released, NTSB officials said the left engine detached from the plane and was found on the airfield.
HONG KONG CARGO PLANE SKIDS OFF RUNWAY, KILLING TWO
CCTV footage from a Kentucky business showed the moment a UPS wide-body cargo plane went down Nov. 4, 2025. (Kentucky Truck Parts & Service)
Preliminary information indicates the flight was not delayed, and no immediate maintenance work was performed before takeoff, officials said. There are no known airworthiness directives tied to the aircraft or its engines.
The NTSB confirmed the FBI is assisting with the investigation “under a longstanding Interagency agreement.”
It is unclear if criminal intent was suspected or what the plane was carrying at the time of the crash.
NTSB officials said shipments that travel through the Louisville UPS hub daily contain “life-saving drugs, postal products, food, supplements, you name it.”
A fireball erupts near airport property after a UPS plane crashed at Louisville International Airport Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Jon Cherry/AP Photo)
LOUISVILLE UPS PLANE CRASH CAUGHT ON CCTV FOOTAGE
Investigators on Wednesday afternoon recovered the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder commonly known as the “black box,” which the NTSB said was exposed to heat but appeared intact.
They will be analyzed at the NTSB’s lab in Washington, D.C.
Several specialized groups have been established by the NTSB, including an operations group to review the flight history and crew duties leading up to the crash; a structures group to document the wreckage, impact angles and aircraft trajectory before impact; a power plants group to examine the engines and related accessories; a systems group to investigate hydraulics, electrical, instruments and flight controls; and a maintenance group to review maintenance records and history of work performed on the aircraft.
Smoke rises from the site of a UPS cargo plane crash near the UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 4, 2025. (Leandro Lozada/AFP via Getty Images)
UNITED PLANE AT SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT COLLIDES WITH ANOTHER JET WHILE PULLING BACK FROM GATE
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records showed the plane was in service for nearly 35 years, according to a report from Reuters.
The agency said it is balancing investigative thoroughness with the need to reopen runways at the airport, which it said is critical for essential supply chain operations.
The Louisville airport is home to UPS Worldport, a global hub for the shipping company’s air cargo operations and its largest package-handling facility worldwide. UPS is the largest employer in Louisville, providing 26,000 jobs, according to Louisville Business First.
Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Nov. 4, 2025. (Stephen Cohen/Getty Images)
AIRLINES TOLD TO REEVALUATE EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES AFTER CARRY-ON CONCERNS
Beshear declared a state of emergency Wednesday morning to assist in recovery efforts.
“I’m deeply saddened to share that the death toll has risen to 12, with several individuals still unaccounted for,” Lousiville Mayor Craig Greenberg wrote in an X post Wednesday night. “No one should face tragedy alone. Please take a moment to hug your loved ones and check on your neighbors. We will continue providing resources and support to everyone affected by this heartbreaking event.”
The NTSB will hold an organizational meeting to establish party status for various entities, including the aircraft manufacturer, operator, labor unions representing crew members and relevant government agencies. Once they join, they are prohibited from commenting publicly without NTSB consent.
Officials noted the investigation will not be affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
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The FBI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Pilar Arias and Emma Bussey contributed to this report.
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What you need to know if you plan to travel this weekend – WTOP News
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday afternoon that it will reduce air traffic by 10% in 40 “high-volume” markets Friday morning, if the shutdown continues.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume markets” beginning Friday, if the government shutdown continues.
Travel delays have been adding up as air traffic controllers have continued to work without pay during the shutdown.
According to ABC News, who has obtained the full list of airports that will see cuts, all three of D.C.’s local airports — Baltimore/Washington International, Ronald Reagan National and Dulles International — will be impacted.
The FAA said the reduction will help maintain safety and avoid any major issues, including unstaffed air traffic control towers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there’s been an increase in air traffic controllers calling out sick since the shutdown started, leading to staffing shortages and delays.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Duffy said they’re offering bonuses to air traffic controllers who are at the age of retirement to keep working.
“What we’re finding is, our air traffic controllers, because of the financial pressures at home, are taking side jobs. … I do not want them to take side jobs, I want them to show up for work. We have asked them to show up for work. But I’m not naive to understand that they’re trying to figure out how they meet their daily obligations,” he said.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said a list of the targeted markets will be released Thursday.
CBS News Senior Transportation Correspondent Kris Van Cleave joined WTOP anchors Anne Kramer and Shawn Anderson to discuss how this might affect the three major airports around the D.C. region.
Read or listen to the interview below.
CBS News Senior Transportation Correspondent Kris Van Cleave joined WTOP’s Shawn Anderson and Anne Kramer to discuss the reduced air traffic
The transcript below has been lightly edited for clarity.
- Shawn Anderson:
Kris, can you break this all down for us?
- Kris Van Cleave:
This is likely going to be something that you will see impacts at the three Washington, D.C.-area airports. We’re talking about the 40 high volume areas. They weren’t specific as to which markets those were in yet, but it is safe to assume that the nation’s 30 busiest airports are going to be impacted by this, whether directly or because a flight that was originating there gets canceled going somewhere else.
So this is going to impact people across the country, because you’re looking at anywhere from maybe 2,000 to 4,000 flights a day that the airlines were given 48 hours to figure out which ones to cancel.
- Shawn Anderson:
Elaborate on what reasons the FAA is giving for this decision.
- Kris Van Cleave:
So the FAA says they were looking at their internal data, and that they have been looking at things like this a lot closer since the crash in January between the American Airlines regional jet and that Army Black Hawk helicopter as it was about to land at DCA.
They say that, as they proactively look through the data, they were seeing an increase in reports of the controllers who were on the job feeling pressured, stressed and fatigued. And they feel in order to bring the stress level and the fatigue level down on the controllers that are going to work every day — remember, they’re working without pay — they needed to reduce the volume of flights.
Because you also have controllers that are calling in sick. Those sick calls have surged, so the folks on the job are taking on more work every day as they try to counterbalance the staffing issues at air traffic control with the 45,000 or so daily scheduled flights.
- Anne Kramer:
You can look anywhere on social media and see posts from flyers, from people warning, even some of the airports themselves, saying, “Look, TSA check lines may be three hours long.” Give us some perspective. What is this going to do to people trying to get a flight on Friday?
- Kris Van Cleave:
What this shutdown has done almost from day one, is inject a high level of uncertainty into everyone’s travels. I’ve likened it to “shutdown delay roulette,” because we know they’re going to happen. We don’t know when, we don’t know where, and we don’t know how bad. So it’s been really hard to predict.
No one had on their bingo card that the Houston airport, that Bush Intercontinental, would have three-hour long security lines on Sunday, but it happened because their TSA staffing levels plummeted.
We’ve seen the Burbank Airport in California, remember, it went to ATC zero. No one was in the control tower for a point. The next shift, it was staffed OK.
So there’s a level of uncertainty here, and now you’re adding to that, because people who are planning to travel on Friday will likely get a notice from their airline that their flight’s been canceled. Maybe they can be rebooked at a time that works, maybe not; but you’re talking about tens of thousands of people that are about to have their travel disrupted.
And it’s not just going to be Friday, it’s going to be every day until the FAA feels the staffing level, the pressure level and the exhaustion level of their controllers goes back to an acceptable level to increase the traffic back to normal.
- Shawn Anderson:
Is there any sense that particular airlines might be more affected than others, and what are the airlines saying about this at this point?
- Kris Van Cleave:
Our understanding is the airlines learned about this plan about the same time we did. So they are scrambling. They’re meeting with the Department of Transportation and the White House, but they are going to have to scramble now to make some operational changes.
DOT’s hope was to spread out the cancellation so that no one city pair or no one airline suffered more or unfairly. But in the top 30 busiest airports, airlines have hubs. In Phoenix, it’s American and Southwest. In D.C., it’s American at DCA. It’s United at Dulles. It’s Southwest at BWI. At those airports, it will likely be an outsized effect of the airlines that have the largest presence.
- Anne Kramer:
Kris, we have heard from the president and from his aides that the major airlines are supporting him and supporting the effort to try and reopen the government from the president’s side of things. What have you been hearing from airlines executives, if anything?
- Kris Van Cleave:
The airlines want the government back open. They want air traffic controllers paid. They want TSA officers paid. They want people back on the job so that they can run a dependable schedule.
It costs airlines thousands of dollars, tens of thousands of dollars, to cancel flights. And if you talk about gridlocking the system, airlines will start burning millions of dollars if their planes aren’t flying. So certainly, from an airline perspective, it’s good business. It’s important for their bottom line. It’s important for safety that the government reopen.
The airlines have said they’ve already seen a pullback in bookings. They just today said they expect the busiest Thanksgiving ever, and that’s a big question mark. We’re three weeks away, three weeks away from the Thanksgiving travel period, and you have the FAA talking about shaving 10% of flights out of the schedule because of staffing. Well, those pressures are only going to get more intense the longer this goes on.
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Ciara Wells
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Nancy Mace Curses, Berates Confused Cops in Airport Meltdown: Police Report
Nancy Mace, the South Carolina Republican congresswoman, unleashed a tirade against law enforcement at the Charleston International Airport on Thursday, WIRED has learned.
According to an incident report obtained by WIRED under South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act, Mace cursed at police officers, making repeated derogatory comments toward them. The report says that a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) supervisor told officers that Mace had treated their staff similarly and that they would be reporting her to their superiors.
According to the report, officers with the Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department were tasked with meeting Mace at 6:30 am to escort her from the curb to her flight and had been told that she would be arriving in a white BMW at the ticketing curb area. Around 6:35, the report says, they were told she was running late; they never saw the car arrive.
Shortly before 7 am, the report stated, dispatch told the officers that Mace was at the entrance for the Known Crewmember program—a trusted access lane with a smaller checkpoint overseen by the TSA and intended for flight crew members.
When officers quickly located her, according to a supplemental incident report filed by one of the officers, the congresswoman immediately began “loudly cursing and making derogatory comments to us about the department. She repeatedly stated we were ‘Fucking incompetent,’ and ‘this is no way to treat a fucking US Representative,’” the report states.
As officers escorted her to her gate, according to the report, she brought a South Carolina Senate colleague into the fracas.
“She also said we would never treat Tim Scott like this,” says one officer tasked with escorting Mace says in the report.
“The entire walk to gate B-8 she was cursing and complaining and often doing the same into her phone,” an officer writes in the report. In the main incident report, an officer notes that Mace was yelling into her phone, either on a phone call or dictating text messages. “After standing in the vicinity of B-8 for several minutes with her continuing her tirade, she finally boarded the aircraft.”
After Mace’s flight took off, the report states, an American Airlines gate agent approached the officers. According to the report, he “stated he was in disbelief regarding her behavior. He implied that a US Representative should not be acting the way she was.”
The report goes on to state that officers checked with a TSA supervisor, who told the officers “he was very upset with how she acted at the checkpoint.” This supervisor, according to the report, told the officers that Mace had “talked to several TSA agents the same way” and that they would be “submitting a report to his superiors about her unacceptable behavior.” TSA agents are not currently being fully paid, due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Jake Lahut
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The Shutdown Is Pushing Air Safety Workers to the Limit
“We will never compromise on safety. When staffing constraints arise, the FAA will slow down air traffic at impacted airports to ensure operations remain safe,” FAA spokesperson Hannah Walden tells WIRED, adding that Transportation secretary Sean Duffy “said that air traffic controllers who report to work will be paid. Regarding reductions in force (RIFs), DOT has been clear for months: safety critical positions—including air traffic controllers—have and will continue to be exempt from any RIFs.”
In a written statement, a spokesperson for the TSA said of employees working without pay: “It’s unfortunate they have been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
On Thursday, Duffy suggested on Fox Business News that controllers and other workers who don’t come to work during the shutdown would be fired. “If we have a continual small subset of controllers that don’t show up to work, and they’re the problem children … if we have some on our staff that aren’t dedicated like we need, we’re going to let them go,” said Duffy.
One air traffic controller described this week’s working conditions as “pretty much the same” but with “an undercurrent of fear that the dipshits in charge will use this as an excuse to decertify our union and take away all bargaining rights.”
Air traffic workers know that accusations of coordinated activity and sick-outs, or informal labor actions that could violate long-standing bargaining agreements with the government, are especially perilous right now, as federal officials threaten the status of public sector unions. The Trump administration suddenly ended TSA workers’ collective bargaining agreement in March, before a court preliminarily halted the move in June. Workers worry that taking an absence, even when it’s needed, could have long-term consequences for their union—and therefore, their working conditions.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association did not respond to WIRED’s request for comment. But a pop-up on the public union’s website notes that it “does not endorse, support, or condone any federal employees participating in or endorsing a coordinated activity that negatively affects the capacity” of the National Airspace System.
Jones, the TSA agent and union leader, says his group won’t organize sick-outs. But employees may have to call out if the lack of pay means “they don’t have the means to commute into work,” he says.
“We are sick and tired of being political pawns for Washington,” adds Jones.
Aarian Marshall
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Four ways the government shutdown could impact Texas
This collection of Star-Telegram stories explores the impact of the federal government shutdown on Texas through various sectors like education, nutrition programs, Social Security, and airport operations.
NO. 1: TEXAS SCHOOLS COULD FACE CHALLENGES DUE TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. HERE’S WHY
Schools in Texas and nationwide could see dire consequences if the shutdown of the federal government stretches beyond a few days, education policy experts warn. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Silas Allen
An American Airlines airplane taxis to a runway at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. By Amanda McCoy NO. 2: WILL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IMPACT DFW AIRPORT OR DALLAS LOVE FIELD? WHAT TO KNOW
North Texas’ two largest airports do not expect any impacts on flight operations amid the government shutdown. | Published October 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brayden Garcia
Volunteers are critical to Tarrant Area Food Bank’s mission of fighting hunger across North Texas. Here, Patti Callahan, right, fills a grocery bag for a food giveaway at 4Saints Episcopal Food Pantry on May 29, 2020, at St. Luke’s in the Meadow Episcopal Church in Fort Worth. By Yffy Yossifor NO. 3: WILL TEXANS STILL GET SNAP BENEFITS DURING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN? WHAT TO KNOW
Another federal government shutdown has begun after lawmakers in Washington failed to reach a deal on funding. | Published October 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tiffani Jackson
The Federal Bank Reserve declares that banks close during certain national holidays. NO. 4: WILL TEXANS GET SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN? WHAT TO KNOW
For millions of Texans, Social Security is more than just a monthly benefit — it’s the money that keeps the lights on, covers prescriptions and helps pay for groceries. | Published October 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tiffani Jackson
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
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Munich Airport Pauses Flights After Latest Europe Drone Sighting
Germany’s Munich Airport grounded flights overnight after several drone sightings, the latest in a string of interruptions in European airspace that have spurred NATO members to retune defenses. The airport reopened and flights resumed on Friday morning.
Air traffic was suspended Thursday night after the drones were spotted, grounding 17 departing flights and affecting nearly 3,000 passengers, the airport said. Additionally, 15 incoming flights were diverted to other airports in Germany and Austria.
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Joyu Wang
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Two Delta regional jets collide on taxiway at LaGuardia Airport; 1 injured
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Two Canadair jets operated by Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, collided on a taxiway at LaGuardia Airport in New York Wednesday night.
The incident took place at 9:58 p.m. between two Canadair CRJ-900 regional jets.
One was an outbound flight and the other inbound, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
A Delta spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that one flight attendant had suffered a minor injury and was treated by EMTs before being transported to a local hospital as a precaution. No other passengers were injured.
2 SMALL PLANES COLLIDE IN MIDAIR AT REGIONAL ARIZONA AIRPORT, LEAVING 1 DEAD
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B at Dusk (iStock)
Delta confirmed the incident, describing it as a “low-speed collision” involving Endeavor Air flight 5155 from LaGuardia to Roanoke, Virginia, and Endeavor Air flight 5047 arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Delta teams at our New York-LaGuardia hub are working to ensure our customers are taken care of after two Delta Connection aircraft operated by Endeavor Air were involved in a low-speed collision during taxi,” Delta spokesperson Morgan Durrant said. “Delta will work with all relevant authorities to review what occurred as safety of our customers and people comes before all else. We apologize to our customers for the experience.”
At 9:58 p.m. Wednesday, two Canadair CRJ-900 regional jets operated by Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, collided during taxing at LaGuardia Airport, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. (Oren on X)
DELTA AIRLINES, JAPAN AIRLINES PLANES COLLIDE ON THE GROUND IN SEATTLE
They have said that preliminary information indicates the departing aircraft’s wing made contact with the fuselage of the arriving aircraft.
Passengers from both planes were deplaned on the taxiway and returned to Terminal C by bus. Delta said customers were provided with food and beverages, as well as with hotel accommodations and rebookings for those whose travel was disrupted.
In this photo illustration, the Delta Air Lines company logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Piotr Swat/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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The Port Authority reported no impact on airport operations. Delta said it will work with the FAA, NTSB and the Port Authority to review what occurred, emphasizing that “safety of our customers and people comes before all else.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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Denmark Says New Drone Flights Over Military Base, Airports Are ‘Hybrid Attack’
Denmark said it had suffered a hybrid attack by a professional actor after drones were observed over several airports late on Wednesday, the second time in less than a week that unmanned aircraft have disrupted air traffic in the Nordic nation, a NATO member.
Drones were spotted over at least four airports in the western part of the country, including a military air base housing most of Denmark’s F-16 and F-35 jet fighters.
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Sune Engel Rasmussen
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Beware of fake Wi-Fi networks that steal your data when traveling
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Earlier this year, Australian police arrested a passenger for running a malicious Wi-Fi network both at an airport and during a flight. The setup looked just like the airline’s own Wi-Fi service, but it wasn’t. Instead, it was what cybersecurity researchers call an “evil twin,” a fake hotspot designed to trick people into handing over their credentials.
The idea isn’t new, but the setting is. For years, fake Wi-Fi networks have been a common trick in cafes, hotels, and airports. What makes this case stand out is that the attacker took it to the skies, exploiting the growing reliance on in-flight Wi-Fi for entertainment and internet access.
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Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CyberGuy.com newsletter.What is an evil twin Wi-Fi attack?
An evil twin hotspot is a wireless network that impersonates a legitimate one by copying its name, also known as the SSID. When multiple networks with the same name exist, your phone or laptop often connects to the one with the stronger signal, which is usually the attacker’s.
Travelers check their phones while navigating delays and flight cancellations at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on July 19, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Once connected, victims are often redirected to a fake login or landing page. In this case, the malicious portal requested passengers’ email addresses, passwords, or even social media credentials under the pretense of granting access to the airline’s entertainment system. The stolen information could then be used for account takeovers, identity theft, or further attacks.
Why travel Wi-Fi is a prime target
Travel creates a perfect storm for these kinds of attacks. Whether you’re in a hotel, airport, cruise ship or airplane, you often have limited choices for getting online. Mobile data may be patchy or expensive, which pushes people toward the available Wi-Fi networks. Because these services feel official and are tied to trusted brands, travelers tend to assume they’re safe and let their guard down when login requests pop up.
Another trend adds to the risk. Travel providers are increasingly moving entertainment and services onto personal devices instead of offering built-in options. Airlines replace seatback screens with streaming portals, cruise lines promote app-based services and hotels direct guests to digital check-in platforms. All of these require a Wi-Fi connection, which means more people are logging on than ever before.
QANTAS DATA BREACH EXPOSES MILLIONS OF CUSTOMER RECORDS
How hackers trick you with fake in-flight Wi-Fi
Here’s how it worked in the Australian case. The attacker carried a portable hotspot onboard and named it to match the airline’s official Wi-Fi network. Passengers, seeing the fake network with stronger signal strength, connected automatically. They were then taken to a counterfeit login page asking for personal details.
A traveler awaits their delayed luggage after United Airlines grounded flights due to a tech outage at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, Aug. 6, 2025. (REUTERS/Ryan Murphy)
On a flight, the consequences are amplified. Passengers either give in and share data or lose access to entertainment for hours. The success rate of this attack is, quite literally, sky-high.
YOUR DISCARDED LUGGAGE TAGS ARE WORTH MONEY TO SCAMMERS
Why you need a VPN for in-flight Wi-Fi security
One of the best defenses against rogue Wi-Fi is a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, making it far harder for attackers to intercept your data even if you connect to the wrong hotspot.
There is a catch, though. In-flight Wi-Fi systems often require you to disable your VPN temporarily to access the onboard portal. Even then, a VPN remains an important safeguard. Once you have cleared the login page and, if you have paid, connected to the internet, enabling your VPN ensures that any browsing, messaging, or app traffic stays private.
For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
9 tips for using in-flight Wi-Fi safely
A VPN is important, but it isn’t the only defense you should rely on. Here are some other ways to stay safe when connecting midair:
1) Install strong antivirus software
Before you even think about connecting to in-flight Wi-Fi, make sure your device has a strong antivirus installed. It’s your first line of defense against malicious sites and apps that attackers may try to push through fake portals. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
James Garofalo of Colorado Springs is checking cellphone after his flight cancelation at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
2) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Even if an attacker manages to steal your login credentials, 2FA can stop them from getting into your accounts. Use app-based authenticators rather than SMS codes whenever possible, since they work offline and are harder to intercept.
3) Turn off automatic Wi-Fi connections
Most phones and laptops are set to reconnect automatically to familiar networks. This makes it easier for a fake hotspot with the same name to trick your device. Before you board, switch off auto-connect and manually choose the correct airline Wi-Fi.
4) Use HTTPS everywhere
When browsing in-flight, check for the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar. HTTPS encrypts the connection between your device and the website, making it harder for attackers on public Wi-Fi to intercept your data.
5) Limit what you access
Even with precautions, in-flight Wi-Fi should be treated as untrusted. Avoid logging in to sensitive accounts like online banking or work systems. Stick to light browsing, streaming or messaging until you’re back on a secure connection.
6) Keep your device updated
Outdated operating systems and apps often have security holes attackers exploit. Before your trip, install the latest updates on your phone, tablet or laptop. Many updates include security patches that protect you against known vulnerabilities.
7) Use airplane mode with Wi-Fi only
When possible, switch your device to airplane mode and then enable only Wi-Fi. This reduces exposure from other radios (like Bluetooth or cellular roaming) that attackers sometimes target on flights.
8) Watch for phishing pop-ups and avoid suspicious clicks
Some fake in-flight portals use pop-ups or redirects designed to trick you into entering login details or clicking on malicious links. If a page asks for unnecessary information, like your full Social Security number, banking details or unrelated logins, treat it as a red flag. Close the page immediately and don’t click.
9) Log out after use
When the flight is over, sign out of the airline’s Wi-Fi portal and any accounts you accessed. This prevents session hijacking if the system keeps tokens cached.
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Kurt’s key takeaway
The rise of evil twin attacks in the air is a reminder that convenience often comes with hidden risks. As airlines push more passengers toward in-flight Wi-Fi, attackers are finding ways to exploit that dependency. Next time you fly, think twice before blindly connecting to the first Wi-Fi network that pops up. Sometimes, the safest choice is to stay offline until you land.
Would you rather go a few hours offline than risk using an untrusted hotspot midair? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Pilots test first-of-its-kind cockpit alert system that detects possible collisions on runways
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Engineers are in the final testing phase of a cockpit alert system they say could prevent close calls on the runway.
Honeywell Aerospace’s “Surface Alert System,” or “SURF-A,” can detect when a rogue aircraft gets in the way of another plane that has been cleared for takeoff or landing. The system gives pilots two aural alerts when an unauthorized aircraft enters the runway on a collision course with the authorized aircraft. The first alert sounds 30 seconds before a collision, and the second alert sounds 15 seconds before a collision.
“It sounds like such a small amount of time, but things happen so rapidly, and 15 to 30 seconds is actually a very, very large margin when you’re moving at the speeds that we’re moving in an aircraft like this,” Honeywell Test Pilot Doug Rybczynski said.
The aural call-out includes an automated voice that says, “traffic on runway.”
“It’s a very good, I would say direct, call out,” Rybczynski said.
TRUMP PICK FOR UN AVIATION OFFICE HAS LONG HISTORY DONATING TO DEMS, NIKKI HALEY
SURF-A gives pilots two aural warnings when they are on a collision course with another plane during takeoff and landing. The first alert sounds 30 seconds out from collision, and the second alert sounds 15 seconds out. (Honeywell Aeroscpace)
The Honeywell crew flew from the Kansas City Downtown airport in Missouri to Topeka, Kansas. On Test Flight 757’s approach to Topeka, a Honeywell crew member parked a smaller Gulfstream aircraft at the end of the runway, triggering the SURF-A alert system. After hearing both alerts, the pilot performed a “go-around” maneuver.
The demonstration simulated a 2023 close call at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas. In that scenario, a FedEx B767 was cleared to land in poor conditions. As the FedEx plane got closer, the pilots noticed a Southwest Airlines B737 lined up on the runway below them. The FedEx pilots were able to perform a last-second go-around maneuver to avoid a collision, but Honeywell says the SURF-A system, which wasn’t around at the time, would have given the pilots an additional 28 seconds of notice.
SURF-A relies on Federal Aviation Administration-mandated technology called “Smart X,” and it has been around since 2008. It lets pilots know if they are taking off on a taxiway, and if they are coming in for a landing too fast or too high.
Honeywell started developing the SURF-A system in 2020 when the aviation industry noticed more close calls happening on runways. Using “ADS-B” Out technology, a GPS system that makes an airplane’s position known to other pilots, engineers were able to determine the trajectory of planes that are on a collision course.
Engineers on board Honeywell Test Flight 757 have been developing SURF-A since 2020. (Fox News)
In 2024, the FAA reported 1,664 runway incursions, which is when an aircraft enters a runway without clearance. Seven of those involved two planes on a collision course.
The FAA has reported 657 runway incursions so far in 2025.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported 1,664 runway incursions in 2024. Seven of them involved planes on a collision course. (Fox News)
“Shockingly, I think for a lot of passengers, there’s not an alert system available today to let you know that you’re about ready to run into another aircraft on the runway,” Thea Feyereisen, Honeywell Aerospace Distinguished Technical Fellow, said.
FAA CANCELS NEWARK AIRPORT GROUND STOP AFTER ‘EQUIPMENT’ ISSUE AFFECTED RADIO FREQUENCIES
The FAA said the best way to eliminate runway incursions is to improve airport infrastructure by adding edge lights, pavement markers, signage, and by making taxiways less complicated. Since 2021, the FAA has given nearly $12 billion to airports across the country to improve airport infrastructure.
Honeywell engineers say pilots are ultimately the last line of defense to prevent runway incursions. (Fox News)
However, Feyereisen said pilots are ultimately the last line of defense.
“Pilots have a shared destiny on the aircraft,” Feyereisen said. “The pilot can be doing everything correct, but on a path to disaster.”
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Honeywell Aerospace is pitching the prototype to major airlines, and hopes to have the system certified by September. Engineers said the system could be added to commercial flights in early 2026.
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Compensation for legal fees is a critical protection against civil forfeiture abuses
On a Friday in March 2021, Brian Moore, an aspiring rap artist, was about to catch a flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles, where he planned to produce a video that he hoped would promote his musical career. To pay for the video, he was carrying $8,500 in cash, money he had inherited from his late grandfather.
Federal drug agents put an end to Moore’s plan by taking his money, which they vaguely alleged was connected in some way to illegal drug activity. What happened next illustrates the importance of legal safeguards against the dangers posed by civil forfeiture, a system of legalized larceny that authorizes law enforcement agencies to pad their budgets by seizing supposedly crime-tainted assets without filing criminal charges, let alone obtaining a conviction.
While profit-motivated law enforcement agencies tend to portray it as inherently suspicious, there is nothing illegal about traveling with large sums of cash. And although the government claimed a drug-detecting dog “alerted” to Moore’s money, that is less incriminating than it sounds, since research has found that most U.S. currency contains traces of cocaine.
The government’s evidence was so weak that it decided to drop the case after Moore challenged the seizure in federal court. Moore got his money back, but he was still out thousands of dollars in legal fees until last week, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled that he was entitled to compensation for those expenses.
Unlike criminal defendants, civil forfeiture targets have no right to court-appointed counsel, which helps explain why they usually give up without a fight. According to one estimate, more than nine out of 10 federal civil forfeiture cases are resolved without judicial involvement.
Challenging a forfeiture is a complicated and daunting process that is very difficult to navigate without a lawyer. But the cost of hiring one typically exceeds the value of the seized property, meaning forfeiture targets can lose even when they win.
Congress tried to address that problem by passing the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act (CAFRA), a 2000 law that says “the United States shall be liable for reasonable attorney fees” whenever a property owner “substantially prevails” in a federal forfeiture case. But when Moore got his money back and sought $15,000 to pay his lawyers, U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr. ruled that he was not entitled to compensation under CAFRA because he had not met that standard.
Under Moore’s contingency fee agreement with his lawyers, that decision left him on the hook for one-third of the money he had recovered. But with pro bono help from the Institute for Justice, Moore appealed Thrash’s ruling, and a three-judge 11th Circuit panel unanimously concluded that the judge had misapplied CAFRA.
The government’s prospects of winning at trial were so iffy that the Justice Department asked Thrash to dismiss the case with prejudice, precluding any future attempt to confiscate his money. According to the 11th Circuit, that judicially endorsed outcome was enough to conclude that Moore had “substantially prevail[ed].”
“We’re pleased to see Brian made whole after years of litigation, but his case highlights the abusive civil forfeiture tactics used by the federal government, which will litigate a case against a property owner for years and then voluntarily dismiss the case on the eve of the government’s defeat,” says Institute for Justice Senior Attorney Dan Alban. “Without the ability to recover their attorneys’ fees after victory, most property owners cannot afford to defend their property from forfeiture”—a reality that motivated the “critical protections for property rights” that Congress approved in 2000.
“It’s a huge relief to have the court agree that I should get all my money back,” Moore says. “Even though the government couldn’t say what I did wrong and dropped the case, I was going to lose thousands of dollars. I hope that my victory can pave the way for others to get justice without paying a price.”
© Copyright 2025 by Creators Syndicate Inc.
Jacob Sullum
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