Newsposter

The air traffic controller on duty during a near collision between a FedEx and Southwest plane in Texas earlier this year revealed in an interview that he expected the Southwest plane to take off more quickly. However, he admitted that he could have held the Southwest plane and prevented the incident. The controller couldn't see the Southwest plane due to dense fog, but the FedEx pilots spotted it at the last moment and aborted their landing. The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the incident. This close call is one of several that have prompted concerns about safety in the aviation industry, leading to calls for better staffing, equipment, and technology from a panel of experts. The FedEx captain expressed frustration with the controller's decision to clear Southwest for takeoff, while the first officer credited their experience and luck for avoiding a disaster. The air traffic controller also mentioned understaffing and overtime leading to fatigue and the lack of advanced technology at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport that could have prevented the incident.