The outage at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey happened at 3:55 a.m., causing radar screens to go black once again. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the outage lasted about 90 seconds. Air traffic controllers were heard informing a FedEx plane about the dark screens and asking them to pressure their company to fix the issue. Another controller advised a private jet to stay at or above 3,000 feet in case they couldn’t communicate during the descent due to the radar outage. The FAA described it as a “telecommunications outage impacting communications and radar display at Philadelphia TRACON Area C,” which covers Newark’s airspace.
Last week, a similar outage at Newark resulted in ATC computer screens going dark for 60 to 90 seconds, leading to a brief halt in departures. Following the incident, several controllers took medical leave, deeming it a traumatic event. They are required to take at least 45 days off and undergo a doctor’s evaluation before returning to work. The Philadelphia facility covering Newark was already understaffed, leading to significant delays and cancellations in the past two weeks.
On Thursday, the Department of Transportation announced plans for a new, “state-of-the-art” air traffic control system to replace the outdated one. The proposed changes include upgrading telecommunications with new fiber, wireless, and satellite technologies, installing modern hardware and software, replacing old radars, and constructing six new air traffic control centers and towers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy aims to have the new system operational within the next three to four years, with an anticipated cost in the billions. Duffy plans to request the full amount upfront from Congress, which has shown support for ATC system modernization.
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like these constant outages are becoming a recurring issue at Newark Liberty International Airport. The recent blackout at 3:55 a.m. caused chaos for air traffic controllers and resulted in delays and cancellations. The FAA’s explanation of a telecommunications outage affecting communications and radar display doesn’t really clarify why these problems keep happening. In response to the repeated incidents, the Department of Transportation is proposing a major overhaul of the air traffic control system to enhance safety and efficiency. While the new system sounds promising, the timeline and cost estimates leave room for skepticism.
Overall, the situation at Newark Liberty International Airport raises concerns about the reliability of the current air traffic control infrastructure. The frequency of outages and the impact on operations highlight the urgent need for a more robust and dependable system. The proposed upgrades and modernization efforts are a step in the right direction, but only time will tell if they can effectively address the ongoing challenges faced by air traffic controllers and airlines operating in the Newark airspace. As travelers continue to navigate through delays and disruptions, the pressure is on for authorities to deliver on their promises of a more reliable and efficient air traffic control system.
