Air Traffic Controllers Face Radar Blackout Once More at Newark Airport

PHILADELPHIA — Newark Liberty International Airport faced significant disruptions again due to a radar failure affecting air traffic control. This incident occurred early Friday morning, mirroring issues experienced two weeks prior.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that radar went dark for 90 seconds around 3:55 a.m. on Friday. Such outages have prompted concerns over the aging air traffic control infrastructure that is under scrutiny for modernization.

The previous radar blackout resulted in hundreds of cancellations and delays, forcing the FAA to implement traffic restrictions. Following that outage, five air traffic controllers took trauma leave, intensifying an already critical staffing shortage.

Flight delays continued to accumulate post-outage, exacerbated by ongoing runway construction. By day’s end, Newark experienced 68 cancellations and over 400 delays, indicating a significant ongoing strain on operations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Friday’s outage was linked to similar technical difficulties encountered previously. This recurring issue underscores the urgent need for a multi-billion-dollar upgrade to the national air traffic control system as outlined by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

In response to safety concerns, federal officials plan to install over 4,600 new high-speed connections and replace 618 radar systems nationwide. These changes follow a tragic midair collision earlier this year, which occurred under similarly strained circumstances.

The existing air traffic control shortcomings have been acknowledged for decades. Capt. Dennis Tajer from the Allied Pilots Association reassured the public that despite these alarming incidents, trained controllers and pilots are equipped to manage unforeseen challenges effectively.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer criticized the Newark situation, pinpointing inadequate controller staffing and outdated technology as the primary culprits. He revealed that current staffing levels are drastically below necessary numbers, with outdated wiring compounding the issue.

Senator Chuck Schumer also emphasized the urgent need to address these systemic flaws. He called for immediate action to resolve the connectivity issues affecting the Philadelphia air traffic control center.

This incident continues to raise alarms regarding air travel safety and the overall reliability of the nation’s air traffic infrastructure.