WILLEMSTAD – Air traffic between Curaçao and the United States narrowly escaped disaster on Friday evening when two aircraft — a JetBlue passenger flight and a U.S. military tanker — came dangerously close to colliding in Curaçao’s airspace. The incident occurred 26 minutes after departure and has intensified concerns about increasing unidentified military activity above the ABC islands.
According to public audio recordings between the JetBlue cockpit and air traffic control, the pilots of JetBlue Flight 1112 reported that a U.S. military refueling aircraft crossed directly in front of their flight path at the same altitude during their climb-out from Hato International Airport.
“We had to act defensively”
The pilots can be heard describing the situation as a “near mid-air collision” and stating that they were forced to halt their climb at 17:04 local time to avoid the military aircraft. Online radar data confirms the JetBlue Airbus A320 stopped climbing at the moment of the reported encounter.
Adding to the danger, the military aircraft was reportedly flying without an active transponder, making it invisible to civilian radar.
“It’s outrageous,” one of the JetBlue pilots said over the radio. Curaçao air traffic controllers acknowledged that the aircraft had not appeared on their radar and apologized for the incident, instructing the crew to file a formal report.
JetBlue has confirmed it will submit the incident to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The director of DC-ANSP, the authority responsible for managing Curaçao’s airspace, stated she is aware of the case but cannot comment further while an investigation is ongoing.
A tanker with massive fuel reserves
The aircraft involved was reportedly a U.S. military refueling tanker — a type designed to carry extremely large quantities of fuel for mid-air refueling operations. After the incident, the tanker continued northeast toward Venezuelan airspace, according to the JetBlue crew.
Flight 1112, operating with an Airbus A320-232 configured for around 150 passengers, continued safely to New York’s JFK Airport.
Warnings were issued weeks ago
This near collision comes just weeks after Curaçao’s Civil Aviation Authority issued a formal notice on 22 November, warning pilots about increasing unidentified aircraft near Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.
The authority reported multiple sightings of unknown aircraft near approach corridors — sightings that were confirmed by radar — and urged pilots to exercise extreme caution. Crews were instructed to immediately report any unusual or suspicious air activity.
Around the same time, the FAA also warned U.S. airlines of heightened risks in Venezuelan airspace, prompting many international carriers to avoid the area entirely.
Rising military tensions in the Caribbean
The incident unfolds against the backdrop of rapidly escalating U.S.–Venezuela tensions. Washington has significantly increased its military presence in the southern Caribbean with naval vessels, fighter jets, and surveillance aircraft. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened potential military intervention in Venezuela.
Regional leaders — including those in Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire — fear the islands could become entangled due to their proximity to Venezuela and their strategic role within the Dutch Kingdom, which cooperates closely with the United States on defense matters.
Friday's near-collision raises fresh questions about airspace safety, coordination between military and civilian aviation, and the risks posed by unidentified military operations so close to the ABC islands.