Trouble in the Skies at Newark

By Y.M. Lowy

Travelers passing through Newark Airport are facing a storm of delays and cancellations. As of Tuesday morning, incoming flights were delayed by nearly three hours on average, and the FAA warned the disruptions aren’t letting up.

A runway closure due to construction is already squeezing flight capacity. But that’s only part of the problem.

Last week, 20% of the staff at the Philadelphia air traffic control center, responsible for guiding planes in Newark’s skies, walked off the job. 

Then came the most alarming moment: a 90-second blackout that knocked out radar and radio contact with aircraft. A burnt copper wire was to blame. For a minute and a half, air traffic controllers were effectively flying blind.

At least five controllers have since gone on trauma leave, citing the event as too distressing to return. Since air traffic controllers can’t easily transfer between locations, the staffing gap could take time to close.