Particle.news
Download on the App Store
34 ARTICLES
·
yesterday

Newark Airport Radar Outage Strikes Again, Renewing Calls for Air Traffic Modernization

A second radar and communications blackout at Philadelphia TRACON disrupted Newark flights early Friday, compounding delays and cancellations as federal officials push for urgent infrastructure upgrades.

Image
Newark, New Jersey on May 7, 2025.
Image
Travelers make their way through security at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on May 5, 2025. The airport has been hit with recent delays and cancelations.

Overview

  • The FAA confirmed a 90-second telecommunications outage at 3:55 a.m. Friday, affecting radar and communications for Newark Liberty International Airport.
  • This marks the second outage at the Philadelphia TRACON facility in two weeks, following a similar incident on April 28 that led to significant disruptions.
  • United Airlines has canceled 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark to mitigate the impact of recurring outages and staffing shortages.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a multibillion-dollar plan to modernize the nation’s aging air traffic control system, including new fiber networks, radars, and control centers.
  • Staffing shortages and trauma leave among air traffic controllers continue to exacerbate delays, as lawmakers demand immediate action to address the crisis.