Air traffic controllers briefly lose radar access again at Newark airport

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 3:43 pm

Newark Airport Radar Outage Strikes Again, Disrupting Flights

Newark Liberty International Airport experienced another radar outage Friday morning, the second in just two weeks, causing significant flight disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the radar system at the Philadelphia facility, which manages air traffic for Newark, went down for 90 seconds at 3:55 a.m. This mirrors a similar incident on April 28th, which resulted in widespread cancellations and delays.

The initial outage in late April forced the FAA to slow down traffic flow at Newark, leading to hundreds of delayed or canceled flights over the past two weeks. The situation was further complicated by several air traffic controllers taking trauma leave, exacerbating existing staffing shortages. It remains unclear if this latest outage will trigger additional leave requests.

The impact of Friday's outage was immediately felt. FlightAware.com data showed that Newark led the nation in departure cancellations, jumping from the low 40s to 57. The airport also saw 60 arrival cancellations, ranking second nationally, and nearly 300 delays.

The FAA is currently working to upgrade the system, including installing new fiber optic data lines to replace outdated copper wiring connecting the Philadelphia and New York facilities. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a multi-billion-dollar plan on Thursday to modernize the nation's aging air traffic control system, aiming to prevent future disruptions and equip controllers with advanced technology. This plan was developed in response to a deadly midair collision in January near Washington, D.C., and other recent incidents. While the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not yet attributed the January crash to air traffic control issues, the incident, along with other recent events, has put pressure on officials to address the system's shortcomings, which have been known for decades.

BNN's Perspective: While the repeated radar outages at Newark are concerning, the FAA's swift response and the government's commitment to upgrading the air traffic control system are encouraging. Investing in modern infrastructure and technology is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel. However, it's important to balance these upgrades with the need to address staffing shortages and the potential for controller burnout, which can also impact safety.

Keywords: Newark Airport, radar outage, flight delays, flight cancellations, FAA, air traffic control, Philadelphia, Sean Duffy, fiber optic, air travel, safety, staffing shortages, Newark Liberty International Airport, traffic control system, infrastructure, modernization

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