Newark Air Traffic Controllers Lose Contact with Planes

Introduction to Air Traffic Control Outages

A man stands outside Terminal C with the airport control tower in the background at Newark Liberty International Airport, on May 6, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. Andres Kudacki | Getty Images

Recent Outage at Newark Liberty International Airport

Air traffic controllers who guide planes in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport lost radar and communication with aircraft before dawn on Friday in another 90-second outage, the Federal Aviation Administration said, hours after the Trump administration unveiled a plan to overhaul the aging technology that keeps U.S. airspace safe. The outage occurred at about 3:55 a.m. ET, the FAA said. There are far fewer aircraft flying overnight, so disruptions were minimal compared with a similar outage on the afternoon of April 28, which snarled air travel for days.

Impact of the Outage

Several controllers took leave because of the stress of that April incident, the FAA said. That exacerbated low staffing levels at the Philadelphia facility tasked with guiding planes in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, forcing the FAA to slow the airport’s traffic. Like in the April incident, Friday’s outage left controllers unable to communicate with aircraft and their radar screens dark.

Need for Improvements to Air Traffic Control

Airlines and labor groups said in February that the U.S. urgently needs billions of dollars in emergency funding from Congress for improvements to air traffic control, which has faced both staffing shortfalls and outdated equipment.

Conclusion

The recent outages at Newark Liberty International Airport highlight the need for improvements to air traffic control technology and staffing levels. The Federal Aviation Administration and airlines are working together to address these issues and prevent future disruptions to air travel.

FAQs

Q: What happened at Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday?

A: Air traffic controllers lost radar and communication with aircraft for 90 seconds due to a technical outage.

Q: What was the impact of the outage?

A: The outage caused minimal disruptions since it occurred overnight when there are fewer aircraft flying.

Q: What is being done to address the issues with air traffic control?

A: The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to overhaul the aging technology, and airlines and labor groups are seeking emergency funding from Congress for improvements.

Q: How often do outages like this occur?

A: This is the second outage in recent months, with a similar incident occurring on April 28.

Q: What are the main challenges facing air traffic control?

A: Air traffic control is facing staffing shortfalls and outdated equipment, which need to be addressed to prevent future outages and disruptions.