Video: Southwest Airlines plane narrowly avoids collision at Chicago Midway International Airport

Dubai: A Southwest Airlines plane narrowly avoided a potential collision with a smaller business jet on the runway at Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday morning, adding to a string of near misses and deadly crashes in recent weeks.

Southwest Flight 2504 was on its final approach when the crew had to execute a go-around after spotting the unauthorised business jet crossing the runway.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident, stating that the smaller aircraft had entered the runway without clearance. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations.

Dramatic footage shared on social media captured the tense moment as the Southwest Boeing 737, just seconds from touchdown, abruptly pulled up and climbed sharply to avoid disaster. The flight, which had departed from Omaha, Nebraska, later landed safely.

“The crew followed safety procedures, and the flight landed without incident,” Southwest said in a statement. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”

This latest close call comes amid a troubling string of aviation mishaps in recent weeks. Last month, an American Airlines regional jet collided with a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing everyone aboard both aircraft.

More recently, a Delta Air Lines regional jet crash-landed in Toronto, skidding down the runway before flipping onto its roof. Miraculously, no fatalities were reported in that accident.

With investigations underway, aviation safety concerns continue to mount, raising questions about runway security and air traffic control oversight.