A Spirit Airlines flight was warned repeatedly on Tuesday to turn away from the path of Air Force Once in the air space over New York City.
The Spirit Airlines plane was en route from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Boston, Massachusetts, according to CNBC. Air Force One was traveling to the United Kingdom where President Trump is set to meet with King Charles.
According to LiveATC audio. air traffic control could be heard warning the Spirit flight to “turn 20 degrees.”
“Pay attention, Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right,” the air traffic controller said, according to the CNBC report.
Air traffic control then warned again: “Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right now. Spirit Wings, 1300 turn 20 degrees right immediately. Pay attention.”
While the two planes ultimately maintained a safe distance of separation, the air traffic controller’s instructions to the Spirit pilots continued with instructions for the Spirit flight to turn away. The air traffic controller added: “I’m sure you can see who it is.”
“I got to talk to you twice every time, Spirit 1300… Pay attention. Get off the iPad,” the controller reportedly said in the audio.
Later, a spokesperson for Spirit Airlines told NBC that its pilots “followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions while en route to Boston.”
Additionally, the Spirit flight “landed uneventfully” at Boston Logan International Airport, the spokesperson said, adding: “Safety is always our top priority
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