The recent tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., has understandably heightened anxieties for air travelers. Ashton Bankston, a nervous flier preparing for a flight from LaGuardia Airport to New Orleans, admitted to increased apprehension following the incident. While mid-air collisions are exceedingly rare in the New York metropolitan area—with none reported at the three major airports in over a decade—ground-based near misses, known as runway incursions, are a more frequent concern.
According to the FAA, 65 runway incursions occurred at the three major New York airports between January 2022 and the present, none resulting in a collision. However, over half were attributed to air traffic control actions. Dr. Michael McCormick, a former manager of the New York Air Traffic Control Center and Embry-Rittle Air Traffic Management Associate Professor, highlights the unique challenges posed by the high density of airports in close proximity. He emphasizes the need to address staffing shortages, noting that last year’s 10% reduction in flights was merely a temporary solution.
The union representing air traffic controllers issued a statement expressing its commitment to ensuring the safety of the nation’s air traffic control system and its willingness to collaborate with the administration and Congress on modernization efforts. Despite the heightened awareness of potential risks, some frequent fliers at LaGuardia remain unconcerned. David Reimer, for instance, stated that the recent crash wouldn’t deter him from flying.