Newark, New Jersey — Air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport lost contact with multiple aircraft for the second time in days on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The disruption, which lasted under an hour, forced temporary flight diversions but did not result in any safety incidents.
Incident Details
The FAA confirmed the outage occurred around midday, affecting radio communications between the control tower and incoming and outgoing flights. Controllers swiftly implemented backup procedures, including using alternate frequencies and coordinating with nearby facilities to manage traffic.
“Controllers maintained surveillance of all aircraft and safely guided them using secondary methods,” an FAA spokesperson said. The agency is investigating the cause, with early reports suggesting a possible technical malfunction.
Background & Previous Disruption
Friday’s incident follows a similar outage on Wednesday, raising concerns about recurring vulnerabilities in Newark’s air traffic infrastructure. The FAA has faced scrutiny over aging systems and staffing shortages, though no direct link to these outages has been established.
Aviation expert Dr. Laura Simmons of the Envelope Institute noted, “Redundant systems should prevent back-to-back failures. If this pattern continues, it points to deeper operational or technical gaps.”
Impact on Travel
Several flights were briefly diverted to nearby airports, including Philadelphia and JFK, though most resumed their routes once communications were restored. Airlines advised passengers to check for delays but reported no widespread cancellations.
Official Response
The FAA assured the public that safety protocols worked as intended and pledged a “thorough review” of the incidents. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) emphasized that controllers are trained to handle such failures but called for updated technology to minimize risks.
What’s Next
The FAA is expected to release preliminary findings within days. Meanwhile, Newark’s control tower will undergo system checks, and lawmakers may renew pressure for modernization funding.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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