Newark Airport Controllers Experience Radar Outage Again

Air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport faced a radar outage early Friday morning, marking the second such incident in just two weeks. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the radar system, which is managed from a facility in Philadelphia, experienced a blackout lasting 90 seconds at approximately 3:55 a.m.

This recent outage follows a similar occurrence on April 28, which resulted in significant disruptions. That earlier incident led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays as the FAA had to restrict traffic to maintain safety. Additionally, five controllers were put on trauma leave following the first outage, further exacerbating the existing staffing challenges at the facility.

Since mid-April, Newark has seen an average of 34 flight cancellations each day due to ongoing issues with air traffic management. Delays have also become increasingly common, with the FAA noting that the average number of delays rises from five in the morning to 16 by evening, each lasting between 85 to 137 minutes. The airport is currently among the most delay-prone in the United States.

The situation is compounded by ongoing construction work on the runway, which has added to the operational challenges. In light of these issues, the FAA is proposing to reduce the number of allowed arrivals and departures to 28 per hour during the construction period, with a future increase to 34 per hour once the main runway project is concluded.

In response to the recent radar incidents, White House officials emphasized the urgency of upgrading the nation's air traffic control system. A comprehensive overhaul plan was recently announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, which aims to modernize the technology used in air traffic management. This plan includes replacing outdated radar systems and installing over 4,600 new high-speed connections nationwide.

These upgrades are particularly critical following multiple accidents, including a midair collision in January that resulted in 67 fatalities. The FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the safety and efficiency of air travel come in the wake of longstanding concerns about the aging infrastructure of the air traffic control system.

U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer criticized the outdated technology and insufficient staffing levels at Newark, stating that the current system relies on infrastructure dating back to the 1980s. With only 24 controllers currently assigned to manage traffic at Newark--well below the desired number of 38--there is a pressing need for comprehensive staffing and technological improvements.

Furthermore, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer called for immediate action to resolve the connectivity issues between New York airspace and the Philadelphia air traffic control center, labeling the situation as an air travel safety emergency.

As the FAA works to rectify these challenges, it is also engaged in efforts to certify new trainees and enhance the functionality of the radar systems. New fiber optic data lines are being installed to replace outdated copper wiring, although the timeline for these repairs remains uncertain.