Latest news with #runwaysafety
CBS News
25-06-2025
- CBS News
2 security breaches in 10 days raise alarm at O'Hare International Airport
Two security breaches at O'Hare International Airport have raised serious questions about runway safety. In May, a DoorDash driver entered the restricted area at O'Hare and ended up just a few feet away from a United Airlines plane on the tarmac. Now, the Chicago Department of Aviation has confirmed that another incident took place within 10 days of the first — and a second investigation is now under way. On May 27, sources said a Chicago Department of Aviation security officer was assigned to a perimeter checkpoint at O'Hare with direct airfield access — and allowed dozens of drivers to enter without swiping their ID to make sure they had a valid credential. "If you're coming through a secure checkpoint that's leading to a secure area, each vehicle needs to be inspected, drivers need to be identified — and they have to be allowed through based on their secure access," said former Thomas Herion. Herion, now the chief of police in west suburban Lyons, was an assistant commissioner at the Chicago Department of Aviation Security Division for nearly a decade — from 2009 to 2019. "If you're not stopping those vehicles, and those vehicles are allowed to access without any type of screening, you have no idea who is in the vehicle, and you have no idea what's in the vehicle," Herion said. Sources said more than 50 cars went through the checkpoint without any of the occupants swiping their O'Hare ID for entry on May 27, and it was all caught on camera. Herion said hiring requirements for Chicago Department of Aviation security officers has changed over the years. In the past, officers were trained in a police academy environment, but now, the requirement is a GED with internal training. "I'm sure there's a lot of good personnel that they hired. But when you have to meet a certain threshold — when you have to get through the state, get through the Chicago Police Academy and pass the state exam — there's a lot of different things you need to do physically, mentally, and personally, and right now, they're not doing that," Heroin said, "and when you're protecting direct access to the airfield, that concerns me a lot." The Chicago Department of Aviation issued a statement saying: "The CDA is aware of the May 27 incident involving a CDA security officer and has referred the matter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for investigation." It was 10 days earlier on May 17 when a food delivery driver went through a different checkpoint and ended up in a secure area on the airfield. In a statement on that incident, the Department of Aviation said: "Following the May 17 incident, CDA leadership met with contractor Lincoln Security to review the situation and also referred the matter to TSA. The employee involved is no longer employed by Lincoln Security, and their airport credentials have been terminated by the CDA." Sources said after that first incident, everyone controlling checkpoints was put on notice. Still, that second security breach happened 10 days later. Herion said the TSA could fine the city as much as $10,000 per incident, so that could amount to $500,000. A TSA spokesperson said that agency has regulatory oversight, and can also levy civil penalties in these incidents. As to the security officer who let the vehicles through the checkpoint, the Department of Aviation referred questions to the TSA about whether the security officer was disciplined. The TSA in turn would only say the investigation is ongoing.
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
HONEYWELL RUNWAY SAFETY TECHNOLOGY SELECTED BY SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FOR FLEETWIDE INSTALLATION
PARIS, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced that Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is in the process of activating its entire Boeing 737 aircraft fleet with SmartRunway and SmartLanding software designed to increase runway safety. This capability is enabled via the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) already on Southwest aircraft, and more than 700 aircraft have been activated to date. SmartRunway and SmartLanding helps increase flight crew situational awareness during taxi, take-off and landing with aural and visual alerts and promotes stabilized approaches. It proactively notifies pilots when they are moving too fast, fly too high or are directed toward the wrong runway, helping to break the chain of events that may lead to runway accidents. SmartRunway and SmartLanding is certified for most Airbus and Boeing aircraft, as well as numerous business aviation platforms. 'Today's pilots face increasing challenges including unpredictable weather and dense traffic in limited airspace, forcing them to make split-second decisions during takeoff and landing. Fortunately, as the challenges evolve, so does the technology that provides the information they need in real time,' said Jim Currier, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. 'Southwest is continuing to put pilots and passengers first by investing in SmartRunway and SmartLanding software across its fleet.' Honeywell's next-generation runway safety technology, Surface Alerts (SURF-A), is now being tested and is expected to be certified on commercial air transport aircraft in 2026 pending regulatory approvals. SURF-A is a groundbreaking cockpit alerting software that uses GPS data, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment and advanced analytics to provide pilots with direct aural and visual alerts of potential runway traffic. Like SmartRunway and SmartLanding, SURF-A is enabled via Honeywell's EGPWS. This agreement furthers Honeywell's long-standing partnership with Southwest, the world's largest 737 platform operator. In 2015, Southwest selected Honeywell flight-deck systems for its 240-unit order of 737 MAX airliners, adding to its existing fleet of 737 Next Generation models flying with Honeywell cockpit avionics. Southwest was also the first airline to incorporate Honeywell's Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver technology into its fleet. 'Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Southwest,' said Andrew Watterson, chief operating officer at Southwest Airlines. 'Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding software will provide our pilots with enhanced situational awareness to ensure the highest level of safety while operating on runways throughout the network.' About Honeywell Products and services from Honeywell Aerospace Technologies are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and in many terrestrial systems. The Aerospace Technologies business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components, power systems, and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer skies and airports. For more information, visit or follow Honeywell Aerospace Technologies on LinkedIn. Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future of aviation and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world's toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter and safer, as well as more secure and sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit Contact: Media Adam Kress 602-760-6252 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Honeywell International Inc.
