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FAA Launches Overhaul of U.S. Air Traffic Control After Newark Disruptions

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveils a multibillion-dollar modernization plan to address aging infrastructure, staffing shortages, and safety concerns across the nation's ATC system.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announces a new air traffic control infrastructure plan, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has blamed his predecessor in the Biden administration for recent problems

Overview

  • The FAA has capped Newark Liberty International Airport arrivals at 28 per hour and added temporary backups to address recent radar and communication outages.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a plan to replace outdated systems with modern fiber, wireless, and satellite technologies, including six new air traffic control centers.
  • The overhaul follows a series of high-profile incidents, including a fatal January midair collision and a Newark radar outage that caused mass flight disruptions.
  • The modernization effort requires upfront congressional funding, with an estimated timeline of three to four years for completion.
  • United Airlines has reduced flights at Newark by 10%, citing ongoing disruptions caused by staffing shortages, equipment failures, and runway construction.