Expert Air Traffic Controller Reveals Staffing and Tech Challenges Causing Delays and Blackouts at Newark Airport | CNN Insights

A veteran air traffic controller at Newark Liberty International Airport is advocating for more support as staffing shortages and technology failures put immense pressure on workers. Jonathan Stewart, who oversees the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), explained the challenges in a recent Wall Street Journal interview, comparing his job to “playing 3-D chess at 250 miles an hour.” The stakes are high, as he pointed out, “You’re going to have a breaking point.”

In recent weeks, Newark has faced significant flight delays and cancellations due to runway construction, heavy air traffic, and the ongoing staffing crisis. The facility also suffered two major outages on April 28 and May 9, when radar screens went blank, leaving controllers unable to communicate with aircraft. This led to some controllers taking trauma leave, shaken by the experience of not being able to see or guide planes.

Stewart has even started jotting down plane callsigns in a notebook, fearing another blackout might occur. On May 4, he narrowly avoided a mid-air collision between two aircraft flying at the same altitude. “I don’t want to be responsible for killing 400 people,” he said, emphasizing the weight of his responsibilities.

Despite the elite skills of Newark’s controllers, the lack of resources is alarming. Currently, only 24 out of the required 38 certified controllers are on duty, according to the FAA. Furthermore, 16 of these controllers will return to a New York facility next year, further compounding the problem.

The staffing crisis isn’t just a Newark issue; it’s part of a larger trend affecting air traffic control across the country. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association reports that we are currently experiencing a nearly 30-year low in staffing levels. Moreover, the current conditions have sparked discussions about recent events, including a deadly collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter at Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport.

The recent outages point to systemic issues. During the April 28 incident, a primary telecommunications line failed, and the backup didn’t work. At a Senate hearing, FAA Deputy Chief Operating Officer Franklin McIntosh acknowledged the critical understaffing at the facility, noting that just three controllers were managing both arrivals and departures during peak times.

Efforts are underway to address these challenges. The FAA has convened an “emergency task force” to focus on safety at Newark. They’ve also initiated meetings with major airlines to curb flight schedules in anticipation of the busy summer season. Airlines like United, Delta, and JetBlue participated in these discussions.

Despite plans for staffing increases and a “healthy pipeline” of training courses scheduled until next July, attracting and retaining air traffic controllers remains a significant hurdle. As Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, noted, the Newark facility has been “chronically understaffed for years.”

Stewart emphasizes that controllers have not abandoned their responsibilities despite the difficulties. He pointed out that while the impacts of stressful situations may not be apparent immediately, they can accumulate over time, affecting safety and performance.

As the aviation industry navigates these issues, the well-being of air traffic controllers remains paramount. Their voices highlight the need for urgent action to ensure the safety of the skies.

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