Communication Disruption: Another Radio Failure at US Airport

A significant communication failure occurred recently at Denver International Airport, where pilots experienced a loss of radio contact with air traffic controllers. This incident marks the latest in a series of similar disruptions affecting airports across the United States.

On Monday, pilots attempting to land at Denver International Airport encountered a two-minute communication blackout due to a failure of the primary radio frequency used by air traffic controllers. According to reports, the situation was detailed by a representative from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during a congressional hearing, as covered by NPR.

This incident follows a similar event that took place just a week prior at Newark Airport, located near New York City. In that instance, air traffic controllers lost contact with aircraft for approximately 90 seconds. Both incidents highlight ongoing issues with the reliability of communication systems within the US aviation infrastructure.

In the Denver case, the FAA spokesperson indicated that after the primary frequency failed, controllers switched to a secondary frequency. Unfortunately, this backup frequency also failed for a brief period of time. Fortunately, all aircraft maintained safe distances during the disruption, ensuring no incidents occurred.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has recently announced plans for a comprehensive modernization of the aging air traffic control systems in the United States. Many of the systems currently in use are based on technology from the 1970s, prompting calls for urgent upgrades. The modernization project is expected to take three to four years to complete.

The safety of air travel in the US has been under increased scrutiny following a tragic incident in January, where a collision between a helicopter and a passenger plane in Washington, D.C., resulted in 67 fatalities. This has raised public awareness and concern regarding the reliability of air traffic control systems and overall aviation safety.