A newly installed backup software system at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) successfully prevented a third radar and communications outage on Sunday, May 11. The system allowed air traffic operations to continue smoothly even after the main radar and communication systems failed.
According to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the backup system kicked in when the primary radar and communication line, which connects Newark to Philadelphia International Airport, went down for the third time in recent weeks. This remote line is critical for transferring radar and communication data from New York-area airspace to Philadelphia’s control tower.
Despite the backup system’s effectiveness, officials decided to temporarily close Newark’s airspace for about 45 minutes as a safety measure, Duffy confirmed during a news conference on Monday. The backup technology kept radar and communication systems online during this brief period.
This marks a positive step for air traffic operations at Newark, which have faced disruptions since April 28. That day, a radar and communication failure caused a 90-second delay, during which controllers couldn’t see aircraft on their screens. The incident led to several controllers taking leave due to the stress of the situation, creating staffing shortages. A second, brief outage occurred on May 9, just before the backup system was implemented.
The backup software is part of a broader set of upgrades the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making to improve operations at Newark. These include replacing outdated copper wiring with new fiber optic cables and adding three new telecommunications lines between New York and Philadelphia to enhance speed and reliability.
Duffy explained that the older equipment had trouble processing information quickly enough. “The equipment that we use is so old that the information has to be slowed down,” he said. “It comes in too fast. It has to go at the speed of copper wires.”
The FAA is fast-tracking these upgrades, with new fiber optic lines already installed at Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports. However, Duffy noted that the lines still need a few weeks of testing before they become fully operational.
Additionally, the FAA is investigating the decision to move Newark’s air traffic control operations to Philadelphia in July 2024. The move was intended to address staffing shortages at the New York-area control towers.
In the meantime, the FAA is limiting the number of flights landing at Newark to ensure that the air traffic control systems and remaining staff are not overwhelmed. These restrictions have resulted in flight delays and cancellations, frustrating travelers.
Duffy mentioned that a meeting will be held with airlines later this week to discuss reducing the number of flights at Newark. “Families shouldn’t have to wait four or five hours for a flight that never takes off,” he said. “If we reduce the number of flights, it’s not to inconvenience people, but to ensure safety.”
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