JetBlue flight hit drone while approaching JFK airport, FAA says

WASHINGTON, June 29 (Reuters) – The Federal Aviation Administration said it has ​launched an investigation after a JetBlue (JBLU.O), opens new tab flight reported hitting a drone ‌while approaching New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday.

The pilot of the Airbus A321 (AIR.PA), opens new tab, which had departed from Las Vegas, reported the strike at approximately 3,000 feet ​altitude while on final approach, the FAA said.

The incident happened around ​7:15 a.m. EDT, according to the U.S. regulator.

“The flight landed ⁠without incident, customers deplaned normally, and the plane was removed from service ​for a post-flight inspection, which found no damage or evidence of a collision,” ​the airline said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages John F. Kennedy International Airport, was not immediately available for comment.

Monday’s incident comes days after a United ​Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab flight encountered a drone during its descent into Newark Liberty International ​Airport — another New York City-area airport — on Friday, according to media reports.

The Port Authority said ‌by ⁠email in late May that it was preparing for increased demand “across our facilities,” with the New York-New Jersey region hosting matches for the 2026, FIFA World Cup, including the final game on July 19.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of ​Investigation said on ​the social media ⁠site X on Monday that it and federal partners had seized over 500 drones from restricted airspace across all ​11 U.S. host cities since the start of the soccer ​tournament ⁠this month.

Drones should not fly near airports, according to an FAA advisory, which warns that it would be difficult for pilots to see and avoid drones while ⁠flying.

The ​FAA said it receives more than 100 drone-sighting ​reports near airports monthly. It warned that unauthorized drone operators could face fines or jail time.