Air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport experienced another radar and communication outage early Friday morning, losing contact with aircraft for approximately 90 seconds. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the disruption occurred around 3:55 a.m. Eastern Time, a period of low air traffic that limited the impact compared to a similar event in late April. That previous outage, which took place during peak hours on April 28, caused widespread delays and disruptions across the country and left a lingering effect on air traffic schedules for several days.
The FAA acknowledged that several air traffic controllers at the Philadelphia facility, responsible for managing Newark airspace, had taken leave due to the stress caused by the April incident. These absences have worsened already low staffing levels, making it necessary for the FAA to slow incoming and outgoing traffic at the Newark airport to maintain safety protocols. Like the earlier outage, Friday’s malfunction temporarily shut down radar screens and cut off communication between controllers and pilots, highlighting vulnerabilities in the aging systems that support one of the world’s busiest aviation networks.
The outage came just hours after the federal government introduced an ambitious plan to overhaul the nation’s air traffic infrastructure. On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlined a strategy focused on updating outdated equipment and facilities used by air traffic controllers. The plan aims to improve the reliability and safety of U.S. airspace, which handles approximately 45,000 flights each day. Industry groups and aviation unions have voiced strong support for the proposed upgrades, urging lawmakers to back substantial funding increases.
A recent House spending proposal includes $12.5 billion specifically earmarked for modernizing air traffic control systems and hiring new personnel to address staffing shortfalls. The broader initiative calls for Congress to allocate at least $31 billion over the next three years to enhance aviation infrastructure nationwide. Supporters argue that these investments are essential to prevent further incidents and maintain the U.S.’s global leadership in aviation safety and efficiency. The timing of the latest outage has added urgency to these calls for action, reinforcing the need for immediate and sustained funding to modernize America’s aging air traffic systems.
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