Orlando airport stops Southwest Airlines plane trying to take off from taxiway instead of runway

A Southwest Airlines flight was canceled in Florida after the aircraft tried to take off from a taxiway instead of a runway at Orlando International Airport, officials said. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the incident involving Southwest Airlines Flight 3278, which was scheduled to depart Orlando for Albany, N.Y., on Thursday morning. 

“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 FAA told Fox News Digital in a statement. “No other aircraft were involved.” 

Southwest Airlines said in a statement Thursday that the plane “stopped safely on a taxiway at Orlando International Airport this morning after the Crew mistook the surface for the nearby runway.”  

Southwest Airlines plane at gate at Orlando airport

A Southwest Airlines plane prepares to depart from a gate at Orlando International Airport in September 2023. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“The airline accommodated Customers on another aircraft to their intended destination of Albany,” it added. 

“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees,” the company also said. 

Southwest plane pulling up to avoid private jet

The aborted takeoff in Orlando happened after another Southwest flight crew performed a go-around maneuver to avoid a possible incident with a private jet that crossed its path on the runway at Chicago Midway International Airport in late February. (StreamTime Live)

The incident happened days after the National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report suggesting that sunglare may have been a contributing factor in the recent near miss involving a Southwest Airlines jet at Chicago Midway International Airport. 

You May Also Like
YNOT After School Camp crash: Driver of deadly Chatham, Illinois crash possibly suffered medical episode, ISP says

Possible Medical Episode Blamed for Deadly YNOT After School Camp Crash in Chatham, Illinois, Reports ISP

CHATHAM, Ill. (WLS) — Illinois State Police reported that the driver involved…
Critic of embattled Dolton, Illinois mayor sees business destroyed by ‘suspicious’ fire: officials

Dolton, Illinois mayor’s critic loses business in ‘suspicious’ fire: authorities

An Illinois business owned by a vocal critic of a Democratic mayor…
Trump fires national security adviser Michael Waltz as bombshell report details toxic atmosphere in White House after leak scandal

Trump dismisses national security adviser Michael Waltz amid shocking report revealing toxic environment in White House following leak controversy

President Donald Trump will replace Michael Waltz as his national security adviser the…
Karoline Leavitt gives behind-the-scenes tour of White House with surprise appearance from A-list actor who dissed Trump

Karoline Leavitt offers a sneak peek inside the White House, with an unexpected visit from a famous actor who criticized Trump.

An unexpected famous person, who has been openly critical of President Donald…
Colorado couple whose child is battling cancer hit by cruel new tragedy after father went for motorcycle ride

A couple from Colorado with a child fighting cancer faces heartbreaking news after the father’s motorcycle ride ends in tragedy.

A young Colorado father whose four-year-old daughter is battling cancer was killed…
Graduates complete Cook County Mental Health Court program, celebration held at Skokie courthouse

Graduates finish program at Cook County Mental Health Court, celebration takes place at Skokie courthouse

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) — It is graduation season. A graduation ceremony took…
Major US airport on red alert as passenger is diagnosed with world's most infectious disease

A top US airport is on high alert after a passenger is found with highly contagious disease from around the globe

Health officials are sounding the alarm over a potential measles exposure at…
Syria threatens to erupt as Israel bombs pro-government forces after attack on Druze minority sparks fears of a 'massacre'

Israel bombs pro-government forces in Syria following an attack on the Druze minority, raising concerns about a potential massacre and escalating tensions.

Syria teeters on the edge of descending into disarray, with Israel launching…
Ron DeSantis Goes Beast Mode on Pro-Illegal Alien Reporter

Ron DeSantis aggressively confronts a journalist supportive of illegal immigrants.

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, is widely regarded as one of…
TSA at Chicago, Illinois airports warns REAL ID requirement to fly begins next week | What to know

Next Week: Chicago, Illinois Airports’ TSA Warns of Upcoming REAL ID Requirement for Flying – Here’s What You Need to Know

CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s one week out from the REAL ID deadline.…
California sheriff learned of John Elway golf cart incident two days later, says it's now investigating

California Sheriff Finds Out About John Elway Golf Cart Incident Two Days Later, Launches Investigation

Californian deputies were not made aware of an incident involving Broncos icon…
Whoopi Goldberg Thinks Trump Is “Getting Even” With America For Not Supporting Him Through His Tariffs And Controversial Policies: “He’s Angry At This Country”

Whoopi Goldberg Believes Trump is Punishing America for Not Backing Him on Tariffs and Controversial Policies: “He’s Upset at the Nation”

The ladies of The View have accused President Donald Trump of trying…