Newark Airport Flight Delays: Safety Concerns Raise Red Flags for Air Traffic Controllers | CNN

Newark Airport’s Air Traffic Control Crisis: A Deep Dive

Newark Liberty International Airport has been facing serious safety issues since last summer. Despite warnings from air traffic controllers about critical communication breakdowns, the situation reached a boiling point recently. Reports reveal controllers experienced significant telecommunications outages, leaving them unable to manage flights effectively.

In August, a distressed controller remarked that sheer luck prevented a catastrophic mid-air collision when a communications failure occurred while multiple planes were rerouted to avoid storms. Communication issues persisted over the past year, including loss of radar and radio service. One controller described a frustrating moment in November, stating, “We just lost all frequencies and communications here.”

These recurring failures culminated in a dramatic loss of communication for approximately 90 seconds last week. This incident resulted in several controllers taking trauma leave, which has exacerbated staffing shortages at Newark.

Experts argue that authorities should have addressed repeated warnings about the fragile communication system. Newark’s controllers had been moved to Philadelphia last summer, which many believe complicated operations. “When controllers operate in separate locations, they lose critical verbal coordination, and safety is at risk,” explains Timothy Johnson, an aviation expert and former air traffic controller.

For decades, controllers at a facility in Long Island managed flights coming into New York City’s major airports, including Newark. However, a nationwide staffing shortage has placed additional strain on air traffic operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) relocated about two dozen Newark controllers to Philadelphia, claiming it would help with increasing congestion.

Post-move, controllers immediately reported communication breakdowns. They flagged numerous incidents through NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System, highlighting safety concerns due to lack of collaboration. Reports indicate a particularly perilous incident where both Newark and LaGuardia controllers rerouted planes through the same airspace, raising the risk of collision amidst thunderstorms.

“The FAA should feel ashamed for not properly briefing us about such a critical change,” voiced another controller. He emphasized how handling operations without Newark personnel in the same room poses significant risks.

Pilot feedback has echoed these worries. One pilot described an aborted landing due to the added difficulties of managing communications from a Philadelphia base, increasing workload and potential for mistakes.

Michael McCormick, an aviation professor, pointed out the increasing nature of these communication failures and regarded the outages as "much more concerning than the initial relocation reports." He believes the November breakdown, where controllers went silent for several minutes, should have been a crucial warning sign.

As communication problems continued, the FAA began plans to enhance the reliability of operations at Newark. They are looking to replace outdated copper lines with fiber-optic technology and deploy backup systems. However, experts like Johnson question if moving controllers to Philadelphia was wise in the first place. “This complex setup lacks the necessary safety margins,” he cautioned.

Amid these uncertainties, controllers wrestle with the unthinkable fear of a crash occurring under their watch. “I just want equipment that works," one controller expressed, highlighting the urgency and significance of addressing these ongoing issues.

For further insights, review the FAA’s related reports and their ongoing improvements here.

This developing situation underlines the challenges facing air traffic control in high-density airspaces and the urgent need for swift, effective solutions to safeguard public safety.

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