Overview

• The May 9 blackout at Philadelphia TRACON caused 137 flight cancellations and over 320 delays at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to FAA and FlightAware data.
• This is the second radar and communication failure at the facility in two weeks, following an 87-second outage on April 28.
• The FAA attributed the blackouts to aging copper data lines and announced plans to replace them with fiber-optic cables to improve reliability.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy introduced a $15 billion modernization plan to overhaul the U.S. air traffic control system, pending Congressional approval.
• Internal safety reports warn that outdated equipment and staffing shortages pose severe risks, with controllers describing the situation as 'dangerous' and predicting potential fatalities without urgent action.