Rethinking Airspace Safety in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
On July 18, 2025, a dramatic incident unfolded as a SkyWest airliner, approaching Minot International Airport in North Dakota, was forced into an abrupt go-around after a B-52 bomber crossed its path at dangerously close range. This unexpected occurrence has spurred renewed discussions about the role of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, in preventing similar near misses. The incident, captured on video by passengers and rapidly disseminated by major media outlets, has placed air safety under the spotlight.
Most importantly, the debate now revolves around whether AI systems could have provided a safety net to catch such conflicts before they escalate. Because AI integrates vast streams of data, it could potentially offer earlier warnings than traditional human-based methods. In this light, the incident raises serious questions about the evolution of airspace management and the integration of AI in critical decision-making processes. Furthermore, experts believe that such technological advances will help nurture a safer air travel environment in the future.
Unpacking the Incident: What Actually Happened?
During the final approach to Minot, the SkyWest flight, operating as Delta Connection 3788 from Minneapolis, encountered an unexpected hazard when a B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base entered its designated landing path. Air Traffic Control had cleared the flight to land, leaving little room for anticipation. The situation demanded split-second decisions, and the pilot’s aggressive evasive maneuver, which included a high-stress go-around, was critical in averting a possible disaster. As reported by CBS News and echoed by Economic Times, the incident underscores the precarity of current airspace safety protocols.
Because visual separation was the primary method of managing aircraft spacing at Minot, the absence of radar further complicated the scenario. This left pilots and controllers to depend solely on direct human observation and verbal communication. Therefore, this incident has sparked a debate on whether such methods are sufficient in an era that could benefit from the integration of AI technologies for enhanced situational awareness.
Current Airspace Safety Practices: Where Are the Gaps?
Modern air traffic control systems rely on an intricate blend of ground-based radar, aircraft transponders, and ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) to manage aircraft positions. However, many smaller regional airports, including Minot, face limitations due to the lack of comprehensive radar coverage. In these areas, separation and collision avoidance are performed visually. Consequently, tensions arise when military assets and commercial airliners interact closely, as differing protocols can lead to gaps in communication and safety measures.
Most aviation safety protocols today depend heavily on human intervention. Because of this, pilots must make split-second decisions based on visual cues and verbal instructions, which are sometimes inadequate for handling high-speed, complex scenarios like the one near Minot. Besides that, the integration of military and civilian flight operations remains inconsistent. Therefore, a collaboration that leverages advanced technologies, such as AI, is critical to bridge these gaps and enhance airspace safety.
How Could AI Have Changed the Outcome?
Advanced AI systems have the potential to transform current airspace management by offering predictive analytics and real-time conflict detection. Most importantly, AI-driven solutions could continuously analyze a variety of data inputs—from ADS-B signals to satellite feeds—to detect emerging collision risks far earlier than traditional radar-centric methods. For example, when analyzing flight paths, an AI system can simulate real-time interactions and provide immediate, actionable alerts to both the pilots and controllers.
Because AI can automatically process extensive data, it opens up new frontiers in integrated civil-military coordination. This technology could combine data from military and commercial sources to ensure that all parties are alerted well before any hazardous convergence occurs. Therefore, features like automated traffic conflict detection, decision support tools, and enhanced crew resource management could fundamentally reshape how airspace safety protocols are implemented during critical moments.
Limitations: Would AI Have Been Enough in Minot?
Despite its promising capabilities, AI is not a cure-all solution for airspace safety challenges. Although AI could analyze and predict potential conflicts, its effectiveness strongly depends on the availability of robust surveillance infrastructure. Due to limitations such as the absence of radar at airports like Minot, even the most sophisticated AI technology may face challenges if there is insufficient real-time data. Because of this, implementing AI must be coupled with upgrades in fundamental air traffic control infrastructure.
Moreover, AI systems require thorough integration into existing communication networks and standardized operating procedures between civilian and military sectors. Most importantly, user trust and consistent training are essential to ensure that AI advisories are correctly interpreted and acted upon. Therefore, while AI could significantly reduce human error and enhance decision-making, it must be viewed as a complementary tool rather than a complete replacement for human judgment.
The Road Forward: Modernizing Airspace with AI
The SkyWest and B-52 near miss serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to modernize our airspace management systems. With unified collaboration and advanced technology, we can build an environment where AI serves as both a warning system and a facilitator of improved decision-making. Most importantly, upgrading control towers with advanced radar systems and digital integrations is essential to support these emerging technologies.
Because both civilian and military sectors operate under different protocols, fostering a unified communication framework is key. In addition, investing in AI-enhanced decision-making tools will provide critical support to pilots and controllers during emergencies. Therefore, coordinated efforts to implement AI and modern surveillance infrastructure will pave the way for safer skies. As we move forward, initiatives such as these will ensure that near-miss incidents become a rarity rather than a recurring concern, as highlighted by recent reports on Air Force Times and Economic Times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the SkyWest near collision with a B-52 bomber was a close call, it also offers valuable insights into how AI can support and enhance current airspace safety measures. Most importantly, the integration of AI into air traffic control procedures represents not only an evolution in technology but also an opportunity to augment human capabilities. Because timely data and rapid decision-making are critical in aviation safety, future investments must focus on combining AI with upgraded hardware and streamlined communications between different sectors.
Indeed, the journey toward safer skies is ongoing, and embracing innovation will be key to preventing future near misses. Besides that, continued collaboration among aviation authorities, military agencies, and technology experts will play a critical role in achieving a safer and more efficient airspace system.
References
- Air Force Times: Air Force reviewing B-52’s apparent near miss with airliner
- CBS News: SkyWest flight does “aggressive maneuver” to avoid a B-52
- Economic Times: Delta flight has close call with B-52 bomber
- Economic Times: Delta pilot’s daring move saved flight from mid-air B-52 disaster
- YouTube: Investigation underway after SkyWest flight’s close call with B-52
