An air traffic controller on Tuesday had to repeatedly warn a Spirit Airlines flight to turn away from Air Force One’s path as both traversed over New York, according to LiveATC audio.
The Spirit Airlines flight was traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Boston on Tuesday morning when the incident occurred. Air Force One, carrying President Donald Trump, was headed to the United Kingdom.
In the audio, air traffic control could be heard warning the Spirit flight to “turn 20 degrees.”
“Pay attention, Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right,” the air traffic controller said. “Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right now. Spirit Wings, 1300 turn 20 degrees right immediately. Pay attention.”
A source with direct knowledge of the situation told NBC News that the Spirit flight and Air Force One maintained the required separation.
However, the audio showed that the air traffic controller continued to instruct the flight to turn away, saying, “I’m sure you can see who it is.”
“I got to talk to you twice every time, Spirit 1300… Pay attention. Get off the iPad,” the controller said in the audio.
A spokesperson for Spirit Airlines said that the flight “followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions while en route to Boston.” The flight “landed uneventfully” at Boston Logan International Airport, the spokesperson said, adding: “Safety is always our top priority.”
NBC News reached out to the White House for comment.
