• Air traffic controllers at Newark Airport are taking leave due to stress from ongoing equipment failures.

• The shortage of controllers has led to significant delays and cancellations for travelers.

• The FAA is working to train new controllers, but the airport continues to face staffing challenges.

The chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport is growing due to air traffic controllers taking leave. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that several controllers have taken time off to deal with the stress caused by ongoing equipment failures. At least five controllers have used the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) to take leave. This law allows federal workers to take time off when they suffer a traumatic injury, either physical or mental, while on the job. The leave ensures they receive full pay during their recovery. These absences have contributed to major disruptions at one of the busiest airports in the United States.

Stress From Equipment Failures Puts Pressure on Controllers

Air traffic controllers at Newark Airport have been under significant stress due to frequent equipment failures. The FAA explained that issues with equipment and telecommunications cause stress and fatigue for controllers. The problems are especially bad at the Philadelphia TRACON network, which manages arrivals and departures at Newark. The system failures make it difficult for controllers to manage the airspace efficiently, adding pressure on the workers. Controllers who handle these tasks are highly specialized, so it’s not easy to replace them quickly. As a result, some controllers have taken extended leave to cope with the stress of their job.

Controller Shortages Cause Delays and Cancellations

The shortage of air traffic controllers has worsened the situation at Newark Airport. With fewer controllers available, passengers are seeing more delays and cancellations. The airport, already one of the busiest transit hubs, has experienced a massive backlog of flights. This has made it difficult for travelers to keep their schedules. The CEO of United Airlines voiced frustration with the situation, pointing out that many controllers had “walked off the job.” He stated that 20% of the FAA staff overseeing flights at Newark had taken leave due to the equipment failures. The airline industry has felt the impact of this staffing shortage, and travelers have been forced to deal with the consequences.

Equipment Malfunctions Triggered the Chaos

A source close to the situation explained that a fried copper wire caused a brief but significant malfunction. This malfunction led to a 90-second outage in radar and communications systems last week. The failure was enough to trigger a series of delays and cancellations. Although the outage was short, it caused a chain reaction that disrupted Newark Airport for days. The equipment failure highlights the ongoing technical issues at the airport and the difficulty in managing air traffic when the systems break down. As a result, the airport has been in a state of crisis, with no clear solution in sight.

FAA’s Efforts to Train New Air Traffic Controllers

The FAA is actively working to address the shortage of controllers at Newark. Despite the staffing challenges, the agency continues to train new controllers. However, training for this specialized job takes time. Air traffic controllers need to be highly skilled to handle the complex airspace and busy flights in and out of Newark. As new controllers are trained, it will take months before they are fully prepared to take on the responsibilities of managing the airport’s airspace. The FAA is committed to ensuring that there are enough controllers to meet the growing demands of Newark Airport, but for now, the airport’s operations continue to be impacted.