According to the agency, the dispatcher noted over Long Island that two aircraft are flying at similar heights and their trajectories begin to get closer.
The dispatcher tried several times to contact Spirit pilots and even exclaimed irritably: “Attention!” – Because, probably, they did not respond to a warning.
The US Federal Civil Aviation Department said the aircraft remained at a safe distance and there were no security problems.
The incident received a resonance due to the participation of a presidential aircraft, as well as increased attention to the old air traffic control system in the United States after several real dangerous situations recently.
The first about the SPIRIT aircraft was announced by the Jonnyc account on the social network X.
The audio recording of supposedly negotiations (probably between the dispatcher and the pilots) published the TENEWAREA51 account. On the published audio one, you can hear how probably the dispatcher repeatedly tried to force the Spirit 1300 crew to turn right 20 degrees, because their route was approaching the Air Force One course.
Spirit pilots did not answer for a long time, so the dispatcher said with more persistence: “Turn right 20 degrees. Immediately!”
After that, Spirit confirmed the change of course, and the dispatcher sarcastically added: “Traffic to the left of you, at a distance of 6 or 8 miles. 747th. I think you guess who it is,” hinting on board Trump.
In the end, he abruptly scolded the pilots, saying: “Attention! Turn away from the iPad!” – I hear on the record.
Air Force One and Spirit Airlines FLT NK1300 GOTOO CLOSE OVER LONG Island, New York for Air Traffic Control and get to include Get Off the iPad! $
Tip Via @xjonnyc
Audio Via @liveatc & Tracking via @Adsbex pic.twitter.com/slj0rip8sg
– THENEWAREA51 (@THENEWAREA51) September 17, 2025
Context
On September 17, Trump, along with the first Lady of the United States, Melanie at the invitation of King Charles III arrived on an official visit to the UK. This is the first meeting of the American leader with the king after his ascent to the throne, Reuters wrote.
The purpose of the trip is to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries. Media call Trump's visit to the UK unprecedented.
