Air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport experienced a brief blackout in communications with planes on April 28, prompting distress among the staff and subsequent trauma leave for multiple employees. This incident, which resulted in hundreds of flight delays and cancellations, highlights ongoing challenges in air traffic management at one of New York's busiest airports.
According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the primary communication system went down for about 30 seconds, leaving controllers "unable to see, hear, or talk" to aircraft under their jurisdiction. While Duffy reassured that planes were not in immediate danger due to onboard communication devices, he indicated that the situation sheds light on the vulnerabilities of the existing system.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognized the issue, admitting that the outdated air traffic control system is impacting its workforce. The FAA mentioned that it is struggling to quickly replace controllers who are on leave and stressed that training new personnel will be a lengthy process.
Following the communication failure, more than 150 flights were canceled on the following Monday alone, as tracking service FlightAware reported. Airlines are increasingly frustrated; United Airlines revealed plans to cancel 35 daily flights from Newark because the airport's infrastructure cannot accommodate the volume of scheduled operations.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association stated that their members took leave under provisions for traumatic workplace events but did not disclose the exact number or duration of absences. This incident highlights an alarming trend where over 20% of FAA controllers have reportedly left their posts.
In response to the turmoil, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced a new initiative aiming to hire at least 2,000 air traffic controllers this year. As Secretary Duffy prepares to present a plan for strengthening the nation's air traffic control infrastructure, concerns over safety and staffing deficiencies continue to loom over the air travel sector.
