Brink Air

Following a near-collision between a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 and a FedEx Boeing 767 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in February 2023, investigations revealed serious systemic safety issues within the US air traffic control system. The near-miss, where the FedEx cargo plane narrowly avoided landing on top of the departing Southwest flight, highlighted a cascade of errors and failures in communication and procedure. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation uncovered a lack of coordination between air traffic controllers, inadequate technological safeguards, and a failure to adhere to standard operating procedures. Crucially, the Southwest flight was cleared for takeoff without proper confirmation that the FedEx plane had safely landed and cleared the runway. The article argues that this incident is not an isolated event, but rather a symptom of broader problems, including understaffing, aging infrastructure, and a relentless push for cost-cutting within the aviation industry. The author contends that the FAA's response, often characterized by assurances that “safety was never compromised,” is a dismissive and inadequate approach to addressing the deep-seated issues threatening air travel safety. The near-miss in Austin underscores the potential for catastrophic accidents and necessitates urgent and comprehensive reforms to the air traffic control system. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/13/nwrk-m13.html