Newark Liberty International Airport suffered its second air traffic control switch in two weeks on Friday, confirms the Federal Aviation Administration, limiting a week of problems for travelers who go to and from New Jersey.
“There was a telecommunications blackout that impacted communications and radar exhibition in the area C of Philadelphia Tracon, which guides the airplanes inside and outside the airspace of the Newark Liberty International Airport. The interruption occurred around 3:55 am on Friday, May 9, and lasted approximately 90 seconds,” said the FAA in a statement to CBS News New York.
Friday’s incident occurred just when the flight schedules began to return to normal after the first interruption of the team April 28 Start a chain of delays and cancellations with which the flyers have been dealing since then.
At least 401 flights to and from Newark were delayed on Friday, and 140 were canceled, he thought that heavy rains played a role in those delays and cancellations.
Generalized delays continue at Newark airport
The second interruption of air traffic occurred less than 24 hours after the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy Announced the Trump administration plan for Check the United States air traffic control system And replace the obsolete equipment, which has been blamed for hundreds of delays in Newark during the last two weeks. This plan includes six air traffic control centers, telecommunications systems updates in 4,600 sites, 2,500 new radios and 618 replacement radars.
Duffy said that if he obtains the financing of the congress, the updates could take up to four years to complete.
When generalized delays begin Last week, crews in the Filadelphia air traffic control installation Lost radar and communication With Newark airspy planes for at least 30 seconds. The union that represents air traffic drivers said that multiple tok controllers license trauma After the team failure.
Duffy called that incident a terrifying example of the need for improvements. He said it lasts between 30 and 90 seconds.
Duffy expects the shortage of air traffic control to end this summer
Duffy also appeared on Friday In “CBS Mornings” And he said that the lines that are reduced last week were now working.
“The main line that feeds the information in Newark, which was reduced, the secondary line did not stand up. Therefore, both lines are now working. We have a little problems with our air traffic controllers. Some of them. Philadelphia Tracon, which gives Newark and we are building a new whole system of whole fiber in Philadelphia in Philadelphia that serves to the Newark airport. Said.
United Airlines has been Limiting flights To and from Newark in the midst of problems.
“Now it is clear, and FAA tells us, that Newark airport cannot handle the amount of airplanes that are scheduled to operate there in the coming weeks and months,” said United CEO, Scott Kirby. “It is disappointing to make more information at a reduced schedule in Newark, but since there is no way to solve the problems of structural staff of the FAA in the short term, we feel that there is no other option to protect our customs.”
FAA and transport officials have insisted that Newark’s airspace remains safe since traffic is slowing down inside and outside the airport, hence the delays.
Travelers, officials exasperated
The flyers had a late beginning of their weekend due to growing delays and cancellations.
“It’s a disaster here. It’s really a disaster here,” said traveler Amanda Dana.
“At first I said an hour, then two hours, then four hours,” said traveler Teresa Ellerbe.
“I was on my way to the airport when I was canceled for the second canelation. Now my flight was supposed to go at 9 pm, and they said they think it will probably also be canceled,” said the traveler are Cleveland.
“Enough is sufficient. The connection between the New York Air Space and the Philadelphia Air Traffic Control Center must now be set. The backup system that does not work must be fixed. Now. This is an air travel safety emergency that requires immediate and decisive action, not a promise of a large and beautiful review that will take years to start implementing. Charles Schumer said.
“At this time, the airport simply lacks the personnel levels of the FAA tower, modern technology and infrastructure, we need to ensure that this airspace, the busiest in the world, works efficiently, without problems and 24/7,” said representative Josh Gottheimer.