FAA Fixing Newark Delays, Plans Air Traffic Control Overhaul/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The FAA announced plans to address radar and staffing issues at Newark Liberty International Airport following major flight disruptions and a recent radar outage. The agency also plans a multibillion-dollar overhaul of the U.S. air traffic control system. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy promised long-overdue upgrades to improve safety and efficiency nationwide.
FAA Air Traffic Overhaul Quick Looks
- Newark Delays: Dozens of flights canceled amid radar and staffing problems.
- Radar Glitch: April 28 outage linked to outdated copper phone lines.
- Controller Relocation: Newark controllers moved to Philadelphia in 2024 due to staffing gaps.
- Technology Upgrade: FAA to replace copper with fiber optics and install three new data lines.
- Controller Shortage: Additional air traffic controllers to be trained and certified.
- National Plan: FAA to unveil a multibillion-dollar air traffic control modernization Thursday.
- Safety Concerns: Triggered by January midair collision over D.C. that killed 67.
- Traffic Slowed: FAA reduces Newark traffic flow to maintain safety.
- Airline Coordination: FAA to meet with carriers like United Airlines to manage flight loads.
- Summer Timeline: Officials hope Newark operations improve before peak summer travel.
Deep Look: FAA Responds to Newark Airport Delays, Commits to National Air Traffic Control Upgrade
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Wednesday it is taking immediate steps to address persistent air traffic control issues at Newark Liberty International Airport, which has become a national bottleneck due to aging infrastructure and staffing shortages.
The announcement comes as the FAA prepares to unveil a sweeping, multibillion-dollar plan on Thursday to modernize the U.S. air traffic control system—long seen as outdated and increasingly vulnerable following a series of high-profile aviation incidents, including a deadly midair collision in January.
Newark Disruptions Spotlight Deeper Issues
On April 28, radar data used by Philadelphia-based controllers to direct planes in and out of Newark went offline for at least 30 seconds. The outage was traced to the use of decades-old copper telephone lines, still relied on for data transmission between FAA facilities in New York and Philadelphia.
These copper lines proved unreliable under heavy data loads, prompting questions about why such legacy systems are still in use. The reliance on Philadelphia controllers stems from a 2024 FAA decision to relocate Newark operations to alleviate staffing shortages at the New York facility.
As a result, Newark has experienced significant flight disruptions. On Wednesday alone, the airport led the nation in flight cancellations with 41 departures and 43 arrivals scrapped, according to FlightAware.
FAA Commits to Fiber Optics, More Staff
To correct the problems, the FAA announced a series of infrastructure and staffing improvements:
- Replacement of outdated copper lines with high-speed fiber optics
- Addition of three new data lines between the New York and Philadelphia facilities
- Training and certifying more air traffic controllers to ease workforce pressure
While no firm timeline has been set, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency is aiming to stabilize operations at Newark before the summer travel peak.
“We are on it,” Duffy said. “We are going to build a brand-new system for all of you and your families and the American people.”
National Air Traffic Overhaul Incoming
The Newark crisis is just one part of a broader challenge. On Thursday, the FAA will reveal a long-awaited national plan to overhaul the country’s air traffic control network—a system some experts say is running on “duct tape and delay.”
The renewed urgency stems in part from a January 2025 midair collision over Washington, D.C., between a commercial jet and a military helicopter, which killed 67 people. That and other recent close calls have put a spotlight on safety weaknesses.
“Flying remains the safest way to travel,” Duffy said, “but Newark has shown us how quickly things can break down without proper investment.”
Temporary Traffic Restrictions in Place
For now, the FAA has chosen to slow the rate of flights in and out of Newark to prioritize safety. That decision has further impacted airline schedules. United Airlines, the airport’s primary carrier, has proactively cut 35 daily flights in response.
“We’ve slowed down the traffic. Safety is our mission,” Duffy said. “We love efficiency, but safety is critical for us.”
The FAA plans to bring together all airlines serving Newark to discuss coordinated scheduling and traffic flow as part of the short-term response.
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