Equipment Outages and Staffing Shortages Plague Newark Airport, Causing Significant Disruptions
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey has been experiencing a cascade of flight delays and cancellations since late April, stemming from a combination of equipment malfunctions, air traffic controller absences, and ongoing infrastructure challenges. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the union representing the nation’s air traffic controllers, has shed light on the specific events that triggered the disruptions, contradicting some media reports and highlighting the underlying issues impacting the air traffic control system.
On April 28, a critical equipment failure occurred at the Philadelphia TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control), designated as Area C. This facility is responsible for managing the separation and sequencing of aircraft entering and exiting Newark Airport. According to NATCA, controllers in Area C experienced a temporary loss of both radar and communication capabilities, effectively leaving them unable to track or communicate with aircraft under their control. This meant controllers could not see, hear, or talk to aircraft in a very important section of the sky over and around Newark Airport.
Archived audio recordings from LiveATC.net, a website that archives air traffic control communications, corroborate the incident. The recordings captured air traffic controllers informing incoming aircraft that they had lost radar contact, creating a potentially dangerous situation and forcing controllers to rely on alternative procedures to maintain safe separation.
NATCA also pointed out that a similar communication outage occurred at Newark Airport on November 6, as reported by the aviation YouTube channel VASAviation, suggesting that this was not an isolated event and raises concerns about the reliability of the equipment.
The equipment failure on April 28 had an immediate and lasting impact on operations at Newark. Since that date, significant delays and cancellations have become commonplace at the airport, inconveniencing travelers and disrupting flight schedules.
Compounding the equipment issues, a number of air traffic controllers took medical leave following the incident. NATCA clarified that these controllers did not walk off the job, as some media outlets had reported. Instead, they took absence under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA), a program that covers federal employees who experience physical injuries or traumatic events on the job. The union’s statement underscores the psychological impact of the equipment failure on the controllers, who are responsible for ensuring the safe movement of aircraft through the National Airspace System. The loss of radar and communication capabilities during the April 28 incident would certainly qualify as a traumatic event for these professionals.
The combination of equipment malfunctions and controller absences has forced the FAA to implement a slower flow rate at Newark Airport, further exacerbating delays and cancellations. With fewer controllers available to manage the flow of traffic, the airport’s capacity is significantly reduced.
Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, reveals the extent of the disruption. Since April 28, more than 358 departures from Newark have been canceled. Daily cancellation totals have varied, ranging from 11 on April 29 to a staggering 91 on May 1. The flight tracking website FlightAware further illustrates the ongoing challenges. As of Tuesday morning, 46 departures were canceled at Newark before 9:45 a.m. ET.
While equipment failures and staffing shortages have been the primary drivers of the recent disruptions, other factors have also contributed. Poor weather conditions in the New York metro area and ongoing runway construction at Newark have further strained the airport’s capacity and added to the delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledges the challenges at Newark. According to the agency, inbound traffic to the airport is being delayed at its origin airport by an average of 161 minutes, reflecting the ripple effect of the congestion at Newark. This significant delay time underscores the airport’s importance as a hub and the far-reaching consequences of disruptions to its operations.
The situation at Newark has drawn the attention of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who has written a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, urging the Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize equipment upgrades at the airport. In his letter, Governor Murphy highlighted "decades of underinvestment" in critical air traffic control infrastructure, delays in upgrading to modern 21st-century air traffic control technology, and inadequate air traffic control staffing as contributing factors to the "frail system" nationwide. He specifically emphasized the need to prioritize the region, which he described as the busiest airspace in the nation.
Secretary Duffy has responded to the concerns, indicating that the DOT will announce a plan for technology and infrastructure upgrades to the air traffic control system this week. This announcement is expected to address the long-standing issues that have plagued Newark and other airports across the country. It’s possible that the plan will include specific funding allocations for equipment upgrades, staffing enhancements, and the implementation of NextGen technologies, which are designed to improve the efficiency and safety of air traffic control.
The ongoing disruptions at Newark Airport underscore the importance of investing in modernizing the air traffic control system and ensuring adequate staffing levels. The events of April 28, and subsequent controller absences, demonstrate the vulnerability of the system to equipment failures and the human toll that these failures can take on air traffic controllers. The announced plan for technology and infrastructure upgrades represents a crucial step toward addressing these challenges and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of air traffic in the region. The safety of the airspace system is dependent on reliable equipment, a sufficient and well rested number of air traffic controllers, and the latest technology.
