Southwest Airlines 737 Goes Around after Chicago Midway Runway Incursion

SWA 737 Goes Around after Midway Runway Incursion

Incident took place after a Flexjet Challenger crossed the active runway while the airliner was landing

Southwest Airlines 737 going around due to runway incursion — The incursion at Chicago’s Midway Airport where a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 crew initiated a go-around when a corporate jet taxied across the active runway. © Screenshot/StreamTime Live

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

February 26, 2025

The crew of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 performed a go-around yesterday at about 8:50 a.m. after a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger 300 crossed the active runway at Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW) in front of the landing 737. According to ATC audio captured by LiveATC.net, the Challenger crew was instructed by ground control to hold short of Runway 31C. A camera at the airport captured video of the Challenger crossing the runway and the 737 initiating the go-around just before touchdown.

The incident occurred after the Midway ground controller cleared the Challenger to “turn left on Runway 4 Left, cross Runway 31 Left, and hold short of Runway 31 Center.” Then, the Challenger crew responded: “Right, left on two, 4 Left, cross two two, er, one three, uh, Center, Flexjet 560.” The controller gave the instruction again: “Flexjet 560, negative. Cross Runway 31 Left, hold short Runway 31 Center.” The Challenger crew responded: “Cross 31 Left, hold short 31 Center, Flexjet 560.”

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