- Newark radar outage causes major flight disruptions, pushing airlines and the FAA to plan flight cuts for safety.
- Staffing shortages and controller walkouts made the radar failure even more dangerous.
- Lawmakers and the U.S. Transportation Department demand urgent upgrades to avoid future air traffic disasters.
Newark Airport faced another serious power outage early Friday morning. At 3:55 a.m., radar screens inside the control tower went dark for 90 seconds. Air traffic was light at that time, but the problem could have caused a major disaster. This was the second blackout in just two weeks. Controllers had to rely on radar from Philadelphia due to staff shortages at Newark. Airlines and government officials now want to reduce traffic at the airport. They believe the current setup creates too much risk for both passengers and pilots.
Airlines and Federal Leaders Prepare to Cut Newark Flights
According to Bloomberg, airline executives and transportation leaders plan to hold emergency meetings. They want to shift air traffic away from Newark for a limited time. This move could impact millions of passengers. Carriers may voluntarily reduce flights until the situation improves. Officials hope this will give them time to fix the radar and staffing issues. The goal is to protect public safety and prevent further travel chaos.
Delays and Cancellations Hit Hundreds of Flights
Flight delays and cancellations surged after the Friday blackout. Data from FlightAware showed 140 cancellations and 401 delays by 4 p.m. that same day. Travelers struggled to reach their destinations. Airlines scrambled to adjust their schedules. The situation created long lines, frustration, and confusion inside the airport. Newark, which handled nearly 49 million passengers in 2024, could not keep up.
FAA Confirms Radar Outage Came from Philadelphia
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement on X. The agency confirmed the radar failure started at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control Area C. This center is 90 miles from Newark. It controls flights not just for Newark, but also for smaller nearby airports. Philadelphia’s radar center lost its connection, and the backup system failed. That left Newark’s controllers without working radar for over a minute.
Air Traffic Controller Warns the Public to Avoid Newark
After the first outage on April 28, a Newark air traffic controller spoke out. The unnamed controller told NBC News that travelers should stay away from the airport. “It’s not a safe situation for the flying public,” the controller said. “Don’t fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs.” That warning came after another 60-to-90 second blackout that hit just days earlier. The two outages raised serious questions about safety and reliability at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Staff Walkouts Add Fuel to the Fire
The radar failure happened only days after a group of air traffic controllers took trauma leave. More than 20% of Newark’s tower staff walked off the job after the April 28 outage. Federal employees are allowed to take 45 days off if they suffer work-related trauma. However, the sudden walkout caused major scheduling problems. Fewer staff meant fewer planes could land or take off safely. That made the radar outage even more dangerous.
United Airlines CEO Blames FAA for Staffing Crisis
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reacted strongly to the disruptions. In a statement on May 2, he said the FAA had failed to staff the airport properly for years. He also said the walkouts made the radar failure much worse. “Without these controllers, Newark can’t operate at full capacity,” Kirby said. He warned that unless something changes soon, the airport will keep falling behind. He also called for immediate federal action.
Pilots Receive Alarming Instructions During Outage
During the radar failure, air traffic controllers gave pilots unusual instructions. One FedEx plane was told that radar was down. Controllers asked the crew to put pressure on their company to help fix the problem. A private jet received orders to stay above 3,000 feet because controllers could not guarantee safe communication during landing. These incidents show how dangerous the outage really was. Planes had to stay in the air longer and delay landing.
Senator Schumer Demands Quick and Strong Action
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted the FAA for the repeated failures. He said the connection between New York’s airspace and the Philadelphia radar center needs a full fix. “The backup system failed,” Schumer said. “Fix it now.” He added that New York skies are some of the busiest in the world. “This cannot happen again,” he warned. His message came just hours after the second blackout.
Congressman Says Newark Lacks Enough Controllers
New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer held a press conference at the airport. He said the region needs about 60 air traffic controllers but currently has only 22. “Our controllers are the best in the world,” he said. “But they can’t do their job when they’re so short-staffed.” Gottheimer urged the FAA to fill the open positions quickly. He stressed that the public deserves safe, reliable air travel.
Transportation Secretary Promises New National System
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also spoke out this week. He announced a plan to upgrade the air traffic control system across the country. He admitted the current setup shows “cracks.” Duffy said, “We must fix the system before something tragic happens.” He promised that his department would build a modern, safe radar system for the future. “We are on it,” he said. “We will protect the American people.”
