Newark Airport Controllers Experience Radar Outage
On Monday morning, Newark Liberty International Airport experienced a brief radio system outage at the Philadelphia air traffic control center. This is the fourth incident to occur at Newark Airport since April 28, raising concerns about equipment and staffing issues.
FAA Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident, which occurred at around 11:35 a. m. local time. According to the FAA, the control center lost radio frequencies for only two seconds. Despite the outage, all aircraft were safely separated and no flights were affected.
Previous Incidents
This is not the first time Newark Airport has experienced a radio system outage. On May 9, a 90-second outage resulted in delays for 450 flights and cancellations for another 141 flights. Heavy rain was also a contributing factor to the delays and cancellations. Another outage on May 11 also caused widespread flight delays.
Staffing Shortage
The Philadelphia air traffic control facility responsible for handling flights at Newark is also facing a staffing shortage. U. S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has stated that upgrades to the nation’s air traffic control system are currently underway. This includes updating the system with new software and equipment, which is estimated to cost “tens of billions of dollars. ” The White House has already allocated $12. 5 billion towards modernizing the system.
About the Author
Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. She covers a variety of topics including small businesses, workplace issues, healthcare, consumer spending, and personal finance. Cerullo is a regular contributor on CBS News 24/7, providing insights and updates on her latest reports.
Conclusion
The recent radio system outage at the Philadelphia air traffic control center responsible for Newark Liberty International Airport has raised concerns about equipment and staffing issues. The FAA is currently investigating the incident, which is the fourth of its kind since late April. The transportation secretary has stated that upgrades to the nation’s air traffic control system are underway, with a significant investment already allocated by the White House. As this situation continues to be monitored, travelers are advised to stay updated on any potential flight delays or cancellations.