Safety Concerns and Responses
U.S. Transportation Secretary deemed the interruption of two commercial flights' landings at due to an Army Black Hawk helicopter "unacceptable," calling for investigations by the and , and plans to consult the .
Following a deadly midair collision in January, the FAA had imposed permanent restrictions on helicopter operations near the airport. The recent incident has sparked further scrutiny and demands for stricter airspace management.
Political and Public Reaction
Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell criticized the repeated disregard for airspace safety, emphasizing the need for immediate action from the and FAA.
Airlines involved have pledged full cooperation with investigations, underscoring the paramount importance of safety for passengers and crew, amidst growing concerns over near-miss incidents in congested airspace.