As Newark Liberty International Airport reels from its third major outage in two weeks, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is slashing flights and demanding urgent fixes to a crumbling air traffic system.
At a Glance
- Newark Airport suffers third major outage in two weeks
- FAA imposes temporary flight reductions amid staffing and equipment failures
- Duffy blames outdated systems, including reliance on obsolete technology
- Senator Schumer calls for immediate federal intervention
- Nationwide air traffic control overhaul proposed to prevent further crises
Newark’s Systemic Failures Spark National Alarm
Newark Liberty International Airport has plunged into disarray after a third critical outage in just two weeks. The latest incident, triggered by a telecommunications failure at the Philadelphia TRACON, forced a 45-minute ground stop, resulting in more than 250 delays and at least 80 cancellations.
The underlying issue: severely outdated air traffic control systems. In some cases, replacement parts must be sourced from secondary markets like eBay. This reliance on antique technology continues to cripple air traffic efficiency, raising both safety concerns and public frustration.
Watch a report: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy holds press conference on air travel disruptions.
Duffy’s Emergency Measures and Long-Term Fixes
In an urgent move, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced a temporary reduction in flights at Newark, citing safety concerns. “I hate delays, I hate cancellations,” Duffy said. “But I want you to get where you’re traveling. This means slowing down flights into Newark—we slow them down to make sure we can do it safely.”
To address the severe staffing shortage, Duffy proposes raising the air traffic controller retirement age from 56 to 61 and is offering a 20% upfront bonus to retain senior staff. At peak times, just one certified controller and one trainee have reportedly been responsible for managing up to 180 movements.
Additionally, the FAA is installing a new direct fiber-optic line between Newark and Philadelphia’s TRACON. This replaces outdated copper wiring and is expected to improve communication reliability in one of the nation’s most congested airspaces.
Political Pressure Mounts
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged immediate action, warning that the problems in Newark could spread nationwide. “What happened in Newark can happen all across the country. Fixing Newark quickly shows the public that the FAA is competent and in control,” he said.
Schumer also demanded Newark be prioritized in upcoming FAA modernization efforts. He warned that continued delays in upgrading the system would put air travelers at risk and damage public trust in aviation oversight.
National Reform on the Horizon
The FAA crisis in Newark has become a rallying cry for broader reform. Secretary Duffy is now pushing for an ambitious modernization plan to replace obsolete technology at more than 4,600 FAA facilities across the country. His “Envy of the World” plan calls for a multi-billion-dollar investment in radar, communications, and controller staffing.
Labor groups estimate that the FAA is currently 3,500 controllers below target staffing, underscoring the urgency of congressional approval. Without decisive action, the same breakdowns seen in Newark could become the norm nationwide.
