Overview

• Denver air traffic controllers lost communications for 90 seconds on May 12, forcing reliance on backup frequencies to maintain safety.
• Newark Liberty International Airport continues to operate under reduced flight caps after similar radar and communication outages in late April and early May.
• The FAA is investigating the Denver incident and working to address chronic issues tied to decades-old technology and insufficient staffing.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has proposed a multibillion-dollar, three-to-four-year plan to overhaul the national air traffic control system, pending congressional approval.
• The FAA remains 3,000–3,500 controllers below target staffing levels, with Philadelphia TRACON managing Newark's airspace at only 68% capacity.