Wed Dec 17 10:10:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article rewrite based on the provided text:
Summary:
Two near-miss incidents involving civilian aircraft and U.S. Air Force refueling tankers have occurred near Venezuela in the past two days. On Saturday, a private jet narrowly avoided a collision, and on Friday, a JetBlue flight was forced to take evasive action. In the JetBlue incident, the tanker’s transponder was off. Both incidents occurred in the vicinity of Curaçao, prompting reviews by the Pentagon, Dutch aviation officials, and the NTSB. The FAA had previously issued an advisory warning of heightened military activity near Venezuela, causing some airlines to suspend flights to and from Caracas.
News Article:
Near-Misses Spark Concern: Civilian Aircraft Avoid Collisions with US Air Force Tankers Near Venezuela
Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles – Two near-collision incidents involving civilian aircraft and U.S. Air Force refueling tankers have raised safety concerns over operations in the airspace near Venezuela.
On Saturday afternoon, pilots of a Falcon 900EX business jet reported a close call with what they described as a large aircraft, possibly a Boeing 777 or 767, at approximately 26,000 feet. “They were really close. We were climbing right into him,” the pilot told air traffic controllers in Curaçao, according to audio recordings.
The incident occurred just one day after a JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York was forced to abruptly halt its climb to avoid a U.S. Air Force tanker that crossed directly into its path. In the JetBlue incident, the tanker’s position-reporting transponder was reportedly switched off.
Both near-misses occurred near Curaçao, an island located about 40 miles north of Venezuela.
The incidents have prompted investigations by multiple agencies. The Pentagon and Dutch aviation officials are reviewing the JetBlue incident. The United States Southern Command stated it is “aware of the recent reporting regarding US military aircraft operations in the Caribbean and (is) currently reviewing the matter.” The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also gathering information on both incidents.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously warned U.S. airlines of heightened military activity at all altitudes near Venezuela, citing potential risks to aircraft during overflight, arrival, departure, and even on the ground. This warning prompted some international airlines, including Copa Airlines, to suspend flights to and from Caracas.
The Dutch Safety Board confirmed it is aware of the incident in Curaçao’s airspace.
These incidents highlight the potential dangers of increased military activity in congested airspace and underscore the need for clear communication and adherence to safety protocols to prevent future collisions.
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