Fighter jets intercept planes near Mar-a-Lago

Washington

Fighter jets intercepted three civilian planes that violated restricted airspace over Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump’s Florida resort, on Sunday. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deployed F-16 jets to escort the aircraft out of the area.

The airspace breaches occurred at 11:05 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and 12:50 p.m., with authorities still unclear about the reasons behind the violations. Similar incidents have been reported in recent weeks, including multiple breaches during Trump’s visits to Mar-a-Lago.

Local reports from the Palm Beach Post noted airspace violations on February 15 and Presidents Day, February 17. Another breach was recorded on February 18 near Palm Beach, prompting NORAD to take action.

NORAD fighter jets used flares during the interceptions, a standard safety measure that quickly burns out and poses no threat to people on the ground. These flares help direct aircraft away from restricted zones without causing harm.

Further airspace violations were also reported in Wellington, a nearby community, where fighter jets were again deployed to ensure security. The repeated breaches have raised concerns about airspace management around high-profile locations like Mar-a-Lago.

Authorities have yet to determine whether the violations were accidental or deliberate. Investigations are ongoing to understand the cause of these repeated airspace intrusions and to prevent future incidents.