Key Points Summary: Newark radar

• Newark radar outage hit again early Friday morning
• Controllers lost screens and comms for nearly 90 seconds
• FedEx and private jet pilots warned mid-air during failure
• Facility in Philly covering Newark was already understaffed
• Some air traffic controllers went on medical leave
• Delays and cancellations surged across two weeks
• DOT pledges “billion-dollar” overhaul of outdated radar system

Air traffic went blind again. Just after 3:55 a.m. Friday, Newark radar screens went dark — the second time in a week.

The chaos was brief but alarming. For 90 seconds, air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport lost both communication and radar feeds.

The FAA blamed the issue on a “telecommunications outage” at Philadelphia TRACON Area C — the site that oversees Newark’s airspace. But panic had already set in.

Pilots Warned Mid-Flight

Controllers scrambled to keep order. Radio chatter caught one controller alerting a FedEx pilot: “Our screens went black.” The controller then asked the pilot to have FedEx pressure the FAA to fix the system.

Another controller urgently warned a private jet to maintain 3,000 feet. Why? Because they might not be able to talk during the descent.

The outage didn’t cause any crashes. But it rattled nerves across the aviation world.

Newark Radar Meltdown Repeats

This wasn’t a one-off. Just last week, the Newark radar system failed during a similar window of time.

That earlier blackout also lasted 60 to 90 seconds. Air traffic controllers couldn’t see any aircraft on their screens. Nor could they speak to them.

The FAA quickly halted all departures. But the damage was done. Multiple sources confirmed it sparked internal chaos.

Now, some air traffic controllers are on medical leave after labeling the experience traumatic.

Controllers Need Medical Clearance

Under FAA policy, air traffic controllers involved in such high-stress events can take up to 45 days off. They must get doctor clearance before returning.

For an already short-staffed facility, that’s a huge blow. The Philadelphia center, which handles Newark airspace, was stretched thin even before the outage.

With fewer controllers now, delays and cancellations at Newark have exploded in recent days.

Travelers have been left stranded. Airlines have scrambled to reschedule. And the pressure is mounting on the FAA to take action fast.

DOT Promises New “Billion-Dollar” Overhaul

On Thursday, the Department of Transportation unveiled a sweeping modernization plan.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the current air traffic system “antiquated.” He vowed to replace it with a “state-of-the-art” solution over the next three to four years.

The new setup will ditch old tech. Plans include fiber-optic lines, wireless upgrades, satellites, and replacing 618 aging radars.

Six new air traffic control centers will also be built. Old towers will be demolished and replaced.

Newark Radar Crisis Pushes Congress Into Action

Duffy didn’t give a specific price. But he admitted it would cost “billions.” He plans to ask Congress for full upfront funding.

So far, lawmakers have shown support. After repeated outages, political pressure has grown. The call to modernize America’s skies is no longer just urgent—it’s unavoidable.

Experts say the current ATC systems date back to the 1970s. With increasing traffic and climate extremes, outages like this may become more common if nothing changes.

How Close Was Disaster?

While no planes collided, insiders say the danger was real.

In an active flight zone, even 30 seconds of lost contact is considered dangerous. Controllers rely on radar and comms to separate aircraft by altitude, distance, and speed.

A minute and a half without visibility in crowded airspace like Newark’s? “Unacceptable,” one aviation safety analyst said.

The FAA has not said how many flights were in the air during Friday’s blackout. But the incident set off red flags across the industry.

Newark Radar Failure Raises New Safety Alarms

The Newark radar system is now under the spotlight. Pilots, passengers, and crew are all asking the same question: how could this happen twice in a week?

The FAA insists that no aircraft were in immediate danger. But the psychological toll on staff tells a different story.

With summer travel season ramping up, stakes are high. Hundreds of thousands fly through Newark every week.

And if radar screens go dark again, the next 90 seconds might not be so forgiving.