(Newark, NJ) — There are already more than 80 cancelled flights and dozens of delays at Newark today, following a week of massive disruptions at one of the nation’s busiest airports. Airport leaders say the blame for the problems are aging technology, combined with a shortage of air traffic controllers and some runway construction.
The union that represents air traffic controllers says some of them are out on trauma leave after experiencing a terrifying 90-second blackout in radar and communications last Monday that was reportedly caused by a fried copper wire. Governor Phil Murphy is asking the feds to prioritize Newark when it comes to Congress allocating money for technology upgrades.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says his agency is taking action to solve the continuing flight delays at Newark Airport. He says Philadelphia’s TRACON system, which manages airspace around Newark Airport, needs to be replaced. Duffy says a shortage in air traffic controllers has compounded the problem. He plans to offer financial incentives to deal with the shortage and “supercharge” its workforce.
United Airlines says it’s canceling 35 round-trip flights per day from its Newark schedule until all the problems are fixed.
