Radar Outages Plague Newark Airport, Raising Safety Concerns and Triggering Mental Health Crisis Among Air Traffic Controllers
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey has experienced a series of alarming radar outages in recent weeks, raising serious questions about the safety and reliability of the nation’s air traffic control system. The most recent incident occurred early Friday morning when radar screens monitoring the airport went dark for approximately 90 seconds, according to ABC News. This follows a similar outage the previous week, during which air traffic control screens for Newark went black for 60-90 seconds.
The Friday morning outage occurred at 3:55 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Air traffic control for Newark is handled in Philadelphia, where the actual screen outage took place. The FAA attributed the disruption to a "telecommunications outage" that impacted communications and radar display at Philadelphia TRACON Area C, which guides aircraft in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport airspace.
During the incident, a private plane was reportedly instructed to maintain an altitude of 3,000 feet or higher to prevent potential collisions. The recent disruptions have added to Newark Airport’s existing woes, which include frequent delays and other operational issues. The April 28 outage had a particularly profound impact on air traffic controllers, with at least half a dozen requesting mental health support. These controllers have been granted "trauma leave," allowing them to take a break from work for up to 45 days to recover from the harrowing experience.
The radar outages have drawn attention to the aging infrastructure of the nation’s air traffic control system. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy held a press conference on Thursday, warning that the system is in dire need of upgrades. He specifically cited Newark as a prime example of the problems plaguing the system, just a day before the latest outage occurred.
"If we don’t actually accomplish the mission that we’re announcing today, you will see Newarks, not just in Newark, you’ll see Newarks in other parts of the country because it’s an aging system," Duffy stated. Duffy outlined his plans to build six new air traffic control centers and replace outdated equipment. He emphasized that the current system relies on antiquated technology, including copper wire and radar systems dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.
"We use radar from the 1970s. Some of them are from the ’80s, but most of them are from the ’70s," Duffy stressed. Duffy acknowledged that decades of neglect have left America’s air traffic infrastructure in a state of disrepair, with a "patchwork of fixes" and "partial funding" failing to address the underlying issues. He noted that upgrading the entire system would require a significant investment, estimating the cost in the "billions."
Duffy will need to seek funding from Congress to implement the necessary upgrades, a task that could prove challenging given the current political climate, where Republicans are often inclined to cut funding for essential services. The Transportation Secretary himself served in Congress as a representative from Wisconsin during the period of "decades of neglect" that he now laments. With a smirk, he appeared to acknowledge some responsibility for the situation, stating, "You can blame me for that, I was in Congress as well."
The recent radar outages at Newark Airport have underscored the urgent need to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system. The aging infrastructure poses a risk to air safety and is taking a toll on the mental health of air traffic controllers. While Duffy’s call for upgrades is welcome, securing the necessary funding from Congress will be a significant hurdle. It remains to be seen whether Duffy and President Trump will be able to convince lawmakers to prioritize investment in air traffic control systems.
The situation at Newark Airport is a symptom of a broader problem facing the nation’s infrastructure. Years of underinvestment have left many essential systems in a state of disrepair, threatening public safety and economic prosperity. Addressing these challenges will require a commitment to long-term investment and a willingness to overcome political obstacles. The radar outages at Newark Airport serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting critical infrastructure. The safety of air travel and the well-being of air traffic controllers depend on addressing these issues promptly and effectively.
