Washington DC, September 18 (HS): Air traffic controllers issued urgent warnings to a Spirit Airlines flight after it came uncomfortably close to Air Force One carrying President Donald Trump to the United Kingdom for a state visit.

Controllers repeatedly told the Spirit Airbus A321 pilot to pay attention and immediately adjust course when the aircraft flew parallel to Air Force One at a distance of about eight miles over New York on Tuesday. At one point, a controller was heard saying, Get off the iPad, in a stern transmission, according to live air traffic recordings.

Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the two planes maintained the required separation and were never in official breach of safety rules, the proximity raised concerns. Flightradar24 data indicated the aircraft could have converged within 11 miles if their paths continued unchanged.

Spirit Airlines confirmed Flight 1300, traveling from Florida to Boston, followed all procedures and landed safely as scheduled. Safety is always our top priority, the airline said, adding that its crew complied with all air traffic control instructions.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump landed in the UK later that evening, receiving a formal state welcome.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar