AvTalk Episode 350: “Outrageous:” close calls near Venezuela

AvTalk Episode 350: “Outrageous:” close calls near Venezuela

Author: Flightradar24 December 19, 2025 Duration: 45:07
AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
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On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a pair of incidents involving civilian aircraft and military aircraft without active transponders operating in Curaçao’s airspace sounds a bit too familiar. We discuss the events from the last week and the state of airspace in the southern Caribbean.
NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy had choice words for Congress after legislation weakening airspace protections put in place in the wake of January’s crash in Washington DC passed as part of the NDAA. But the Senate has now passed the ROTOR Act, which seeks to further strengthen those protections. We discuss what this might mean for aircraft operators in the US over the next few years.
Elsewhere, Spirit Airlines is still operating and a merger with Frontier is back on the table… again. A sun visor detached on a Malta Air 737 leading to an engine shutdown. And Lufthansa received an offer from the US Air Force it couldn’t refuse and will now say goodbye to a pair of 747-8Is in 2026.
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Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

Every Friday, the team at Flightradar24 opens the hangar doors for a conversation that goes far beyond just tracking flights. AvTalk-Aviation Podcast is hosted by Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz, two genuine enthusiasts whose curiosity is as vast as the skies they discuss. This isn't a technical manual, but a weekly gathering for anyone who feels that familiar pull to look up at the sound of a jet engine. You'll hear the latest news shaping the industry, from new aircraft developments to airline culture, alongside deeper explorations into the history, places, and societal impact of flight. The discussions are grounded in expertise yet remain completely accessible, whether you're just discovering your inner avgeek or you live and breathe all things aviation. With regular special guests adding their perspectives, each episode feels like sitting in on a fascinating conversation among friends who love to share what they know. Tune in for your regular dose of everything that makes aviation endlessly compelling.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
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