A Southwest Airlines flight faced a serious incident at Orlando International Airport after attempting to take off from a taxiway instead of the designated runway, prompting immediate intervention by air traffic control. The flight, which was preparing for departure on Wednesday morning, mistakenly aligned itself on the wrong path moments before takeoff.
Airport officials confirmed that air traffic controllers swiftly recognized the error and ordered the aircraft to stop before accelerating. The pilots complied, bringing the plane to a halt on the taxiway without incident. There were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew on board.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident to determine how the miscommunication or navigational mistake occurred. Preliminary reports suggest the flight crew received clearance for the runway but mistakenly turned onto an adjacent taxiway, where no takeoffs are permitted.
Southwest Airlines has acknowledged the incident and confirmed that the flight later departed safely after the situation was addressed. The airline stated that they are cooperating fully with the FAA’s investigation and reviewing the crew’s actions.
The near-miss has raised new concerns over pilot situational awareness and airport safety protocols, especially at busy hubs like Orlando. Aviation analysts noted that attempts to take off from taxiways can lead to catastrophic consequences if not immediately corrected.
Orlando International Airport operations continued without further disruptions, and the flight involved completed its journey after a brief delay.