Newark Flight Delays Return Amid Telecom Failures as FAA Pushes System Upgrades

Flights at Newark Liberty International Airport faced fresh delays over the weekend due to a telecommunications glitch at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA issued a temporary ground stop on Sunday to ensure operational redundancies were functioning properly, following a similar radar and telecom outage just two days earlier. While normal operations resumed shortly after, the disruption added to growing concerns about the resiliency of the national air traffic control system.

This marks the third such incident in recent weeks, intensifying scrutiny of the FAA’s aging infrastructure. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has proposed a multi-billion-dollar overhaul to the system, with particular focus on high-traffic hubs like Newark. The airport, already under strain from ongoing runway construction, staffing shortages, and equipment issues, has seen ripple effects throughout the region’s air travel.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the FAA to prioritize Newark upgrades, urging the agency to bypass bureaucratic delays and expedite modernization. Meanwhile, the FAA is moving forward with short-term measures including staffing boosts, new telecom connections, and a temporary backup system at the Philadelphia TRACON.

United Airlines, Newark’s largest carrier, has already slashed flights in response to persistent disruptions and is advocating for broader traffic limits. The FAA plans to meet with major airlines to explore additional temporary cuts aimed at stabilizing flight operations.