Three radar glitches within two weeks between air traffic controllers and planes at Newark Liberty International Airport, coupled with a staffing shortage, have led Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to warn of potential disruptions as the busy summer travel season begins.
The equipment, while safe, is considered outdated. “We have redundancies, multiple redundancies in place to keep you safe when you fly,” Duffy stated. However, he acknowledged the stress on the old network necessitates upgrades. To address the shortage of air traffic controllers and recent tech failures, the FAA has implemented a ‘ground delay’ to manage traffic flow at Newark. United Airlines has also reduced 35 roundtrip flights daily from its Newark hub.
The TRACON at Philadelphia International Airport, responsible for Newark’s air traffic, operates with 22 fully certified controllers and 21 in training, but four controllers are currently on trauma leave. The FAA faces a long-standing shortage of air traffic controllers, with the certification process taking nearly four years. Last week, the FAA announced plans to upgrade its communications system, STARS, by adding high-bandwidth telecommunications connections and establishing a STARS hub at the Philadelphia TRACON.
Travelers should expect ground delays and consider rebooking options. Airlines like United Airlines are offering waivers for flights through May 23. Monitoring flight statuses via airline apps and using tools like FlightAware can help passengers stay informed.
— new from Forbes