Flight Safety Information - March 24, 2025 No. 059 In This Issue : Incident: Cathay Pacific B744 near New York on Mar 16th 2025, loss of cabin pressure : Incident: Aegean A20N at Athens and Munich on Mar 18th 2025, tyre damage on departure : Incident: Jin B738 at Seoul on Mar 21st 2025, unreliable airspeed and altitude : Incident: Southwest B738 at Orlando on Mar 20th 2025, attempted to takeoff from taxiway : United 777 Operated Flight Makes Emergency Landing in SFO Amid Pilot Mistake : US FAA pilot safety messaging system resumes operations after outage : SAS Pilot Blunder Activated Hijack Protocol, 2 Fighter Jets Intercepted Flight : FAA Announces Promising Start to Air Traffic Controller Hiring Supercharge : FAA staffing shortages causes temporary ground stop at ABIA, raising safety concerns : Russian economy meltdown as aviation industry faces bankruptcies and plane shortage : COMAC to Produce 75 C919 Jets to Challenge Airbus and Boeing Dominance : Horrified mom says United Airlines demanded she remove disabled son’s ventilator before take-off: ‘So humiliated’ : Calendar of Events Incident: Cathay Pacific B744 near New York on Mar 16th 2025, loss of cabin pressure A Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-400 freighter, registration B-LID performing flight CX-3195 from New York JFK,NY (USA) to Toronto,ON (Canada), had just levelled off at cruise FL300 when the crew donned their oxygen masks and initiated an emergency descent to 10,000 feet due to the loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft returned to New York's JFK airport for a safe landing on runway 22L about 100 minutes after departure. The crew requested emergency services to inspect the aircraft for structural damage. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 18 hours, then departed again. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=52596d59&opt=0 Incident: Aegean A20N at Athens and Munich on Mar 18th 2025, tyre damage on departure An Aegean Airlines Airbus A320-200N, registration SX-NEQ performing flight A3-806 from Athens (Greece) to Munich (Germany) with 164 passengers and 7 crew, departed Athens' runway 03L and climbed to FL360 and FL380. On approach to Munich the crew reported they had a possibly burst tyre. The aircraft landed on Munich's runway 08R, vacated the runway and stopped clear of the runway surrounded by emergency services. A passenger reported a left main tyre was damaged on departure from Athens. The aircraft continued to Munich and was escorted by a large contingent of airport fire vehicles after landing. There was also damage to the flaps and the engine cowling. A replacement Airbus A320-200N registration SX-NEK positioned from Athens to Munich and performed the return flight A3-807 reaching Athens with a delay of about 4.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Munich about 91 hours (3 days 19 hours) after landing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=5258a1a7&opt=0 Incident: Jin B738 at Seoul on Mar 21st 2025, unreliable airspeed and altitude A Jin Air Boeing 737-800, registration HL7561 performing flight LJ-659 from Seoul Gimpo to Pohang (South Korea) with 42 passengers and 6 crew, was climbing out of Gimpo's runway 14L when the crew declared PAN PAN and stopped the climb at about 5500 feet due to unreliable airspeed and altitude indications.The aircraft returned to Gimpo Airport for a safe landing on runway 14R about 50 minutes after departure. The airline reported discrepancies in indicated airspeed and altitude and returned for an urgent landing. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration HL8014 reached Pohang with a delay of about 4:15 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 8 hours after landing back. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=52581101&opt=0 Incident: Southwest B738 at Orlando on Mar 20th 2025, attempted to takeoff from taxiway A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N8315C performing flight WN-3278 from Orlando,FL to Albany,NY (USA), was cleared for takeoff from Orlando's runway 17R at about 09:30L (13:30Z) but aligned with the parallel taxiway H and began their takeoff roll. Tower cancelled their takeoff clearance, the crew rejected takeoff and returned to the apron. A replacement Boeing 737-8 MAX registration N8802Q reached Albany with a delay of about 3:20 hours. The FAA reported: "An air traffic controller at Orlando International Airport canceled the takeoff clearance for Southwest Airlines Flight 3278 around 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, March 20, after the aircraft began its takeoff roll on a taxiway. The taxiway runs parallel to the runway. The flight was headed to Albany International Airport in New York. No other aircraft were involved. The FAA is investigating." The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 4 hours after the rejected takeoff. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=5257f249&opt=0 United 777 Operated Flight Makes Emergency Landing in SFO Amid Pilot Mistake This incident marks the second occurrence of a passport-related issue on the same route within a week. LOS ANGELES- A United Airlines (UA) flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG) diverted to San Francisco (SFO) on Saturday, March 22, 2025, after one of the pilots failed to bring their passport for the international journey. Flight UA198, operating on a Boeing 777-300ER, landed at LAX where passengers received $15 meal vouchers while waiting for a replacement crew. A United Airlines (UA) flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Shanghai (PVG) diverted to Los Angeles (LAX) on Saturday, March 22, 2025, after one of the pilots failed to bring their passport for the international journey. UA 198 Diverted from LAX to SFO due to the pilot forgetting his passport. The original destination is Shanghai. I had been flying for 3 hours already before being notified. United Airlines notified affected travelers via message: “UA198 SFO-PVG: Your flight diverted to San Francisco due to an unexpected crew-related issue requiring a new crew. Once they arrive, we’ll get you back on your way to Shanghai as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for this disruption and appreciate your patience.” This incident marks the second occurrence of a passport-related issue on the same route within a week. In the previous case, the problem was identified before departure, resulting in a multi-hour delay while a replacement pilot was arranged, ViewfromtheWing reported. International flight protocols require gate agents to verify passengers’ passports alongside boarding passes before permitting aircraft entry. This verification process, however, appears inconsistently applied to flight crew members. The financial implications of diverting a Boeing 777-300ER are substantial. Beyond passenger inconvenience, the airline faces increased crew costs and additional fuel expenses. The aircraft likely needed to dump fuel before landing in Los Angeles. The disruption also affected the return flight schedule. Similar Incidents Craig Sturt, a 46-year-old British passenger, successfully traveled from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) on Christmas Eve 2023 without possessing a ticket or passport. Authorities apprehended Sturt upon his arrival in New York and subsequently returned him to the United Kingdom via charter flight, according to the Telegraph. Investigations revealed that the 6-foot-tall Sturt allegedly bypassed passport verification and boarding procedures for the British Airways flight by slipping behind other passengers. Heathrow officials insisted Sturt underwent mandatory security screening but failed to explain how he cleared security and customs checkpoints without proper documentation, Sky News reported. A Heathrow spokesperson stated, “All people who go airside are subject to security screening, including the individual involved in this case.” Sturt boarded a Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 ticketless, but Kennedy Airport’s stricter security measures led to his detention when he attempted to pass through customs without the required documents. London police informed Sky News, “We continue to collaborate with all our partners to assess and strengthen the already robust security measures in place, which are consistently reviewed as part of the broader security partnership.” Similar Incident with Frontier Airlines In another case, Frontier Airlines (F9) accidentally flew a New Jersey woman to Jamaica instead of her intended destination of Jacksonville, despite her lacking a passport. The incident occurred when the passenger went to the wrong gate, the New York Post reported. Beverly Ellis-Hebard, who regularly flies from Philadelphia to her second home in Jacksonville every six weeks, arrived at a gate labeled “PHL to JAX” for her November 6, 2022 flight. After using the restroom before boarding, she returned to find the flight nearly fully boarded and was rushed onto the plane after a gate agent verified her identity. Once aboard, flight crew informed Ellis-Hebard that the Jacksonville flight had been reassigned to another gate and her current aircraft was bound for Jamaica. Ellis-Hebard initially thought it was a joke until she recognized the crew’s serious demeanor confirmed the mistake. Unable to disembark in Jamaica without a passport, Ellis-Hebard remained on the jetway, which she believed constituted U.S. territory. Flight crew stayed with her until her return flight to Philadelphia departed hours later. Ellis-Hebard also suffered a physical injury during her travel mishap when she scraped her arm while measuring her luggage in the sizer, causing bleeding. Frontier Airlines apologized for the incident, provided a refund and compensation, and addressed the issue with airport personnel. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/24/united-flight-emergency-landing-in-lax-amid-pilot-mistake/ US FAA pilot safety messaging system resumes operations after outage WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - A U.S. Federal Aviation Administration system that provides safety messages to pilots experienced an outage for several hours on Saturday before resuming operations, the agency and airlines said. The outage of the "Notice to Airmen" system for more than three hours on Saturday was due to a hardware issue. In early February, the system known as NOTAM also suffered a failure. The FAA said the main NOTAM system "experienced a temporary outage and the system was reset." The agency said it was "investigating the root cause ... closely monitoring the situation." https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-faa-pilot-safety-messaging-system-resumes-operations-after-outage-2025-03-22/ SAS Pilot Blunder Activated Hijack Protocol, 2 Fighter Jets Intercepted Flight The prolonged communication blackout prompted ATC to declare a potential security incident, fearing a possible hijacking. Two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to intercepted the aircraft & escorted it to Manchester Airport. MANCHESTER– On a routine SAS Connect (SL) flight from Oslo, Norway (OSL), to Manchester, England (MAN), on February 5, 2023, a captain, failed to maintain radio contact with air traffic controllers for about 30 minutes, despite repeated attempts by officials to establish communication. Captain Christopher Hollands of SAS Connect was at the controls of an Airbus A320 carrying 58 passengers on board. SAS Connect Captain prompted Fighter Jet Response The prolonged communication blackout prompted air traffic control to declare a potential security incident. Authorities, fearing a possible hijacking, activated emergency protocols. Two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the aircraft and were escorted to Manchester Airport (MAN). Upon landing, the airliner was directed to an isolated part of the airfield where heavily armed police boarded the plane. The aircraft remained at a remote stand while authorities investigated the situation. Regulatory Concerns & Consequences Glenn Bradley, Head of Flight Operations at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), emphasized the seriousness of the breach. He said- “Incidents of lost communications causing security breaches are a matter of great concern both for us as the aviation regulator and for the Government.” “Aviation is one of the safest methods of transportation, and it relies on pilots maintaining radio communication with air traffic control through the standard channels during flight.” Glenn Bradley, Head of Flight Operations, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) The CAA confirmed this prosecution marks the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. The regulatory body is working to reduce similar incidents through pilot education and by highlighting the severe consequences of communication failures. Legal Implications for SAS Connect Captain This case establishes a significant precedent in British aviation law. Pilots now face the prospect of criminal prosecution for communication failures deemed serious enough to trigger security concerns. The maximum potential sentence under the legislation could include up to two years imprisonment for the most severe violations. The prosecution serves as a stark warning to aviation professionals about their legal responsibilities regarding communication protocols. The CAA stated it will continue collaborating with pilots, airlines, and government agencies to minimize such incidents and maintain confidence in UK aviation safety and security standards. Captain Christopher Hollands has become the first person prosecuted under British legislation requiring commercial airline pilots to maintain continuous two-way communication with air traffic control. The 57-year-old pilot pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates’ Court and received a £4,511 (US $5,800) fine for the incident. Airline Response SAS Connect (SL), a British subsidiary of the Scandinavian airline (SK) that operated the flight, was approached for comment regarding the incident and subsequent prosecution of Captain Hollands. The company has not yet issued a public statement addressing the situation or any potential internal disciplinary measures. The case highlights the critical importance of adherence to communication protocols in commercial aviation and demonstrates authorities’ willingness to pursue legal action against individuals who fail to meet these essential safety requirements. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/24/sas-pilot-blunder-activated-hijack-protocol-2-fighter-jets-intercepted-flight/#google_vignette FAA Announces Promising Start to Air Traffic Controller Hiring Supercharge “We are bringing in the best and brightest across America to help keep our skies secure” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is highlighting the initial results from the latest air traffic controller hiring window. Five months have been shaved off the old hiring pipeline through U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s efforts to supercharge air traffic controller hiring. Since the latest window closed March 17, the FAA has already qualified and referred more than 8,320 candidates to the aptitude exam, known as the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA). More than 190 candidates have already passed the ATSA and moved into the hiring process. “I’m thrilled to see that early results of air traffic controller hiring supercharge were so promising. By prioritizing a merit-based process, cutting red tape, and increasing starting salaries, we are bringing in the best and brightest across America to help keep our skies secure at record speeds,” said Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. The results are just one part of the agency’s work to prioritize the American people’s safety. Additional Information: Once cleared, candidates who received the highest score on the ATSA will be given priority for the Academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. This streamlined efficiency has shaved months off the old process, helping get the best and brightest new air traffic controllers on the job much faster. Supercharged ATC Hiring Steps The FAA has increased the starting salary for Academy trainees by 30 percent. The average certified professional controller makes over $160,000 per year. Once trainees graduate the Academy, they’ll be assigned to one of the 313 FAA facilities across the country, where they’ll work with experienced air traffic controllers toward their certification. https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-announces-promising-start-air-traffic-controller-hiring-supercharge FAA staffing shortages causes temporary ground stop at ABIA, raising safety concerns AUSTIN, Texas — Flights heading into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) were brought to a temporary standstill Friday morning as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a rare ground stop due to staffing shortages in Austin’s air traffic control tower. The move sparked concern among travelers and city leaders alike, prompting renewed calls for urgent action to address what some are calling a growing safety risk. The FAA temporarily halted all incoming flights from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and New Orleans for nearly two hours, citing an insufficient number of controllers on duty in Austin. Departing flights were not affected, but many arriving passengers were left grounded, causing frustration and missed connections during a busy travel season. “We were told there was gonna be a delay because of the air traffic control situation here in Austin,” said Talley Williams, a traveler caught in the delay. “It’s more frustrating that we’re having to sit there and wait because there’s not enough staffing.” Austin city leaders are sounding the alarm, arguing that the ongoing staffing issues not only inconvenience travelers but could also jeopardize safety. Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes expressed concern for both flyers and the overworked staff in the control tower. “Think about the workers that are there who are working double shifts and all-nighters and what that means for their capacity to safely monitor our airspace,” Fuentes said. CBS Austin reached out to the FAA for details on the staffing levels in Austin’s control tower and whether current conditions pose any safety risks for travelers. While the agency declined to provide specific numbers or safety assessments, it did highlight its ongoing hiring efforts to bolster staffing nationwide. According to the FAA, more than 8,000 applicants have been fast-tracked to take the agency’s Air Traffic Controller Aptitude Test. Of those, 190 candidates have already advanced in the hiring process. Additionally, the FAA stated it hired more than 1,800 new air traffic controllers across the U.S. in 2024 — the highest number in nearly a decade — and has increased starting salaries by 30% to attract more talent. “We’re always going to do whatever we need to do to ensure the safety of our traveling public,” said Shannetta Griffin, the FAA’s Associate Administrator for Airports, during a previous interview with CBS Austin. This is not the first time ABIA has experienced disruptions due to air traffic control staffing shortages. In December, a similar issue caused delays over a weekend. Over the past two and a half years, six near-misses have been reported on the runways at Austin’s airport — incidents that have drawn scrutiny from both lawmakers and safety advocates. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) has been vocal about the issue, warning that Austin’s air traffic control tower operates significantly below the FAA’s recommended staffing levels. “We’ve gone months with about half of the number of air traffic controllers that the FAA says we should have here,” Doggett said. For travelers passing through ABIA, the temporary ground stop and its cause — a lack of staffing — were both surprising and unsettling. “I never thought it would happen because you always see airports having lots of workers all the time, so it was shocking,” said Shaylyn Lewis, a passenger at ABIA. “It was honestly kind of scary, too.” Mariah Allen, another flyer, echoed the sentiment, saying, “It makes you question how safe everything is if there aren’t enough people working to keep flights monitored.” The ground stop was lifted after approximately two hours, with flights gradually returning to normal operations. However, with ABIA’s traffic only expected to increase in the coming months, city officials say the issue cannot be ignored. Local leaders are urging the FAA to prioritize Austin in its hiring and staffing plans, warning that continued delays and safety risks could escalate if the problem is not resolved swiftly. As the FAA ramps up its recruitment efforts nationwide, the question remains: Will those efforts be enough to bring relief to Austin’s strained air traffic control system — and restore traveler confidence? For now, passengers and city leaders alike remain on edge, waiting for answers and hoping action is taken before, as one official warned, “a tragedy forces their hand.” https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/faa-staffing-shortages-causes-temporary-ground-stop-at-abia-raising-safety-concerns Russian economy meltdown as aviation industry faces bankruptcies and plane shortage Many Russian businesses are struggling as sanctions cut Moscow off from the global economy. Russia is facing yet more economic turmoil as the country's aviation industry is hit with plane shortages and the threat of bankruptcies. According to reports, Russia has been forced to cut down the number of flights leaving the country due to a lack of aircraft. Commenting on X, former Chief of the National Bank of Ukraine Kyrylo Shevchenko said: "Russian airlines are slashing flights due to a growing plane shortage. No new Boeings, no Airbuses, no spare parts — just vibes and duct tape. Russia promised 1,000 new planes by 2030. They've built 5. At this rate, they'll hit the target in 600 years. Russia’s aviation industry is slowly grounding itself." Sergei Chemezov, the head of state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec, said last week that Russia needs to replace its foreign-made planes by 2030. Many aircraft will reach the end of their lifespan, but Western sanctions mean Russia may not be able to source replacements from abroad. Mr Chemezov added that 30% of Russia’s Western-built passenger planes could be grounded in the next five years. This comes after reports warned that more than 30 Russian airlines are set to go bankrupt in 2025. In November, Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that Russian airlines have been bogged down by growing debt that they are unable to pay off due to sanctions. The report added that Russia's largest private airline is scrapping its £65 million turbine engine plant that was set to be built in St Petersburg. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Russia's wider economy continues to grapple with soaring inflation, with food prices rising. The Russian Central Bank has hiked interest rates to 21% in an attempt to bring down inflation - fuelled by Moscow's huge military spending. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2030920/russian-economy-meltdown-aviation-industry COMAC to Produce 75 C919 Jets to Challenge Airbus and Boeing Dominance By 2029, the company intends to reach an annual output of 200 C919 jets, significantly bolstering its position against global competitors. SHANGHAI- Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), China’s leading aircraft manufacturer, has announced ambitious plans to increase C919 production capacity to 75 aircraft annually, up from the previously stated target of 50 jets announced in January. The Chinese aerospace manufacturer further outlined its long-term strategy at a recent supplier conference in Xi’an (XIY), revealing intentions to reach an annual production capacity of 200 C919 aircraft by 2029, significantly escalating its challenge to the Boeing-Airbus duopoly. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), China’s leading aircraft manufacturer, has announced ambitious plans to increase C919 production capacity to 75 aircraft annually. Photo: By N509FZ – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127030905 COMAC C919 Production Capacity Comac’s recent announcements at a supplier conference in Xian (XIY) reveal a detailed roadmap for scaling up its C919 production. By 2029, the company intends to reach an annual output of 200 C919 jets, significantly bolstering its position against global competitors. This ambitious plan includes increasing production from 50 jets this year to 100 next year, ultimately reaching 150 by 2028. Comac has revised its initial 2024 production target from 50 to 75 aircraft, reflecting an accelerated manufacturing pace. The latest production timeline indicates a steady ramp-up: 2025: Production target set at 100 aircraft. 2029: Projected annual capacity of 200 jets. The C919, which entered commercial service in May 2023, is China’s first domestically produced narrowbody jet. It has already secured hundreds of orders, including from major airlines such as Air China (CA), China Eastern Airlines (MU), and China Southern Airlines (CZ). These carriers have begun integrating the C919 into their fleets, with utilization rates surging by 40% during the Lunar New Year holiday compared to the previous year. To support this expansion, Comac has announced a 70% increase in annual procurement costs for the C919 program, bringing this year’s figure to approximately 34 billion yuan ($4.7 billion). The company’s president, Shen Bo, emphasized that the program has entered a phase of “large-scale industrialization,” signaling a pivotal moment in China’s push for aviation self-sufficiency. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), China’s leading aircraft manufacturer, has announced ambitious plans to increase C919 production capacity to 75 aircraft annually Growth Strategy and Future Development Comac, established in 2008, plays a critical role in China’s aviation strategy. The C919 entered commercial service in May 2023, with 16 deliveries completed by year-end. The aircraft directly competes with industry leaders Boeing and Airbus, which dominate the global single-aisle jet market. China’s three major airlines—Air China (CA), China Eastern Airlines (MU), and China Southern Airlines (CZ)—have placed substantial orders for Comac aircraft. During the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday, C919 utilization rates rose 40% year-over-year, signaling strong market acceptance. Beyond the C919, Comac is developing widebody aircraft, including the C929 and C939, designed to compete with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and 747. These jets aim to provide China with a domestic alternative for long-haul flights, further reducing reliance on Western aerospace manufacturers. While primarily focused on domestic orders, Comac has garnered international interest. In late 2023, Cathay Pacific (CX) CEO Ronald Lam led a team to assess Comac’s progress. The airline is exploring a potential stretched variant of the C919 for its regional operations and evaluating the C929’s suitability for mid-size widebody routes. Bottom Line Comac’s rapid increase in production marks a significant shift in the global aviation landscape. With a robust order pipeline, increasing aircraft deliveries, and ambitious expansion plans, the company is poised to challenge Boeing and Airbus more aggressively in the coming years. The success of the C919 and future models like the C929 will be crucial in establishing China as a competitive force in commercial aviation. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/23/comac-to-produce-75-c919-jets-to-challenge-airbus-and-boeing-dominance/ Horrified mom says United Airlines demanded she remove disabled son’s ventilator before take-off: ‘So humiliated’ The things a mother will go through for her child. A woman named Melissa Sotomayor was shocked at how United Airlines treated her disabled son on a recent flight home from Tampa, Florida to New Jersey. Sotomayor took to TikTok — in a now viral video with over 1 million views — to share her very sad experience. She began the video explaining her son’s condition: “My son is dependent upon a trach, short for tracheostomy, and ventilator. He has vision and hearing problems.” People are appalled at how this mother was treated on a recent United Airlines flight. robin – stock.adobe.com People are appalled at how this mother was treated on a recent United Airlines flight. robin – stock.adobe.com The mother went on to explain that in order to fly safely, she made sure to have all of her son’s medical documents ready to show — if necessary. Sotomayor and her baby flew to Florida without a hitch — but it was on the way back that the trouble began. “A male flight attendant approached me and stated that I needed to take my son off the ventilator and the portable oxygen concentrator because they needed to be secured for takeoff,” she explained. After explaining to the flight attendant that the equipment is what’s keeping her son alive, he then asked Sotomayor for documentation — which she provided for him. One would think the story stops there — think again. Sotomayor explained in her video that two more flight attendants — and the captain — approached her with the same sentiment regarding the medical equipment. From the sounds of it, the flight’s crew did not ease up on Sotomayor, despite her having proof that she is allowed to keep her son’s critical medical equipment on it. Sotomayor was adamant about not taking her son off of his ventilator. missysoto0/TikTok Sotomayor was adamant about not taking her son off of his ventilator. missysoto0/TikTok “He’ll be okay until we’re in the air at a high enough altitude,” a cold United staffer told her. Seeing how adamant Sotomayor was being about her son’s situation, the crew warned her that she might need to move seats if she wasn’t willing to comply. After being taxied for an hour, other fliers started to chime in, calling Sotomayor’s mistreatment by the airline staff “harassment.” Even more back and forth took place between the crew and the mother — and still, no apology to Sotomayor. Finally, after what probably felt like forever — the captain announced that the plane was cleared for take-off. “I was really upset by the way we were humiliated in front of others and the way we were talked to,” she shared in her video. Other passengers on the flight started to chime in, defending Sotomayor. United Airlines The cruel treatment didn’t end on that flight — Sotomayor escalated the situation to the United Airlines corporate level and they continued to stand their ground, telling her they don’t go against FAA guidelines. The Post reached out to United Airlines for a comment. You could imagine the uproar in the comment section of this mother’s video — with people furious to hear of Sotomayor’s disheartening experience. “The fact that they thought taking your son off OXYGEN, and a ventilator for any amount of time, and he would be fine, is INSANE,” one person wrote. “So we boycott united airlines? Seems like the only way we can get a point across these days is stop paying these people,” another comment read. Others suggested that Sotomayor look into hiring a lawyer. “Please please please retain an attorney that specializes in ADA. MAKE ALL THE NOISE. Nobody should have to go through this,” someone advised. “the flight attendants are not allowed to ask you for any documentation. all of that is already provided prior to your boarding. lawyer up girl!” another commenter wrote. https://www.yahoo.com/news/horrified-mom-says-united-airlines-152504469.html CALENDAR OF EVENTS · Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Conference Center | Denver Colorado, March 27-29, 2025 · 59th Annual SMU Air Law Symposium is scheduled March 31 - April 2, 2025 · Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Safety Symposium April 7-9, 2025 · AIA Conference: The Aviation Insurance Association's annual conference in Orlando, Florida from April 25–28, 2025 . 70th annual Business Aviation Safey Summit (BASS), May 6-7, 2025, Charlotte, N.C., organized by Flight Safety Foundation in partnership with NBAA and NATA. · Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore · Flight Safety Foundation - Aviation Safety Forum June 5-6, 2025 - Brussels . 2025 EASA-FAA International Aviation Safety Conference, 10 Jun 2025 to 12 Jun 2025, Cologne, Germany · The 9th Shanghai International Aerospace Technology and Equipment Exposition 2025; June 11 to 13, 2025 . 3rd annual Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS), July 15-17, 2025, Singapore, organized by Flight Safety Foundation and CAAS. . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada Curt Lewis