LOS ANGELES, CA – The skies above Los Angeles have once again become the scene of concerning aviation incidents, with multiple reports of near mid-air collisions highlighting ongoing safety concerns. The latest incident, which occurred recently, involved an ITA Airways flight and an American Airlines flight taking off from parallel runways at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The ITA Airways Airbus reportedly made an unexpected left turn, placing it directly in the path of the American Airlines flight.
Air traffic control immediately intervened, instructing the American Airlines flight to halt its climb and avoid the aircraft ahead. While no injuries were reported and both flights continued their journeys, the event has triggered an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This incident echoes a similar near-miss at LAX in late 2024, where a private jet carrying the Gonzaga University basketball team was ordered to stop by air traffic controllers as it neared a runway where another aircraft was departing.
The FAA is actively reviewing the circumstances of the ITA Airways and American Airlines incident. Experts suggest that if the investigation confirms a pilot deviation from the assigned heading, it could raise critical questions about cockpit communication, departure planning, and crew situational awareness. The complexity of LAX’s parallel runway operations is often cited as a factor that can contribute to such close calls.
These recurring incidents underscore a broader trend of near-misses in U.S. airspace. In January 2025, the FAA was investigating a near mid-air collision involving a United Airlines flight from San Francisco and a Delta flight near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. In that instance, an anti-collision system blared in the cockpit, preventing a collision as the planes came within approximately 875 feet vertically and 1,200 feet horizontally of each other.
The FAA has acknowledged concerns about planes getting too close in the air, increased runway incursions, and pilot worries regarding controller responses. In response to these safety data trends, the FAA has maintained flight reductions at 40 airports, including Los Angeles, to ease pressure on the air traffic system and address staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. The agency emphasizes that safety remains its top priority, with all decisions guided by data and a commitment to ensuring the integrity of air traffic operations.
