Second Air Traffic Control Outage Hits Newark Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey faced its second air traffic control outage in less than two weeks on Friday, May 9, 2025.
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Second Air Traffic Control Outage Hits Newark Airport
The 90-second radar and communication failure at 3:55 a.m. disrupted operations at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the outage occurred at a Philadelphia facility that manages Newark’s airspace. This follows a similar incident on April 28, raising concerns about aging technology and staffing shortages.
What Happened Earlier
On April 28, 2025, Newark’s air traffic controllers lost radar and radio contact with planes for about 90 seconds. The outage, caused by a fried copper wire, left controllers unable to communicate with pilots. This led to hundreds of flight delays and cancellations.
Five controllers took 45-day trauma leave due to the stress, worsening an existing shortage.
Since August 2024, at least two other outages have occurred, though less publicized. These incidents exposed the fragility of outdated systems, with some controllers using equipment reliant on floppy disks.
Current Condition at Newark
Newark Airport is operational but struggling. Friday’s outage caused 380 flights to be delayed and 141 canceled, according to FlightAware.
The FAA has slowed air traffic to ensure safety, leading to departure delays averaging 262 minutes, or over four hours. These delays are partly due to weather-related low ceilings, not just the outage. Staffing remains critical, with only 22 controllers working when 60 are needed.
Some controllers are still on trauma leave from the April incident. The FAA is training new controllers, but the process is slow due to the job’s specialized nature.
Effects on Travelers and Airlines
The outages have caused widespread disruptions. Travelers face long delays, with some flights departing over four hours late. Cancellations have spiked, with Newark leading the nation in grounded flights on Friday. United Airlines, the airport’s largest carrier, cut 35 daily flights from its schedule to cope. Passengers report frustration, with many unable to change plans due to packed flights. The disruptions have rippled to airports in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago. Lawmakers, including Senator Andy Kim, are demanding urgent fixes, with Kim visiting Newark on Saturday to press for solutions.
Calls for Modernization and Investigation
The repeated outages have sparked alarm. Controllers and pilots are urging the FAA to upgrade aging infrastructure, including copper wires and outdated radars. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to replace these with fiber optics and modern systems, calling it a national security priority.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Josh Gottheimer are pushing for investigations and more controllers. Gottheimer highlighted the safety risks, demanding immediate hiring and better pay. The Trump administration faces pressure to act quickly to prevent further chaos and ensure passenger safety.
The situation at Newark remains tense. With delays ongoing and staffing short, travelers should expect continued disruptions. The FAA’s modernization efforts are underway, but solutions may take time. For now, Newark’s air traffic control system remains a weak link in U.S. aviation.
