Air traffic controllers in Newark opting for time off following loss of contact with aircraft under their supervision, resulting in flight delays.
Rewritten Article:
The ongoing chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey has left travelers stranded for over a week, with delays and cancellations galore. The root cause? A perfect storm of issues brewing at the FAA Air Traffic Control tower.
On Monday, April 28, air traffic controllers at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, responsible for managing planes arriving at Newark, experienced a shocking collision of radar and communication failures, leaving them blind and mute to the aircraft they were overseeing. The mechanical failure caused the affected controllers to take time off under the Federal Employees Compensation Act, which covers federal employees who've experienced traumatic situations on the job[1].
Sources indicate that the connection between Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar and the frequencies used by air traffic controllers to manage flights in and out of the airport completely crumbled[1]. As a result, five FAA employees took an extended leave totaling 45 days[2].
Last summer, control over flights arriving into Newark's airport was transferred from an FAA facility in Long Island, New York to Philadelphia. apparently, the staff at the new location have been struggling to keep things running smoothly ever since[1].
By Monday afternoon, more than 150 flights into or out of the airport were canceled, with over 250 flights delayed, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware[2]. The chaotic situation is expected to persist, with the FAA forecasting nearly four-hour delays for inbound flights[2].
The nationwide air traffic controller staffing shortage was further fueled by over 20% of FAA controllers at Newark Airport reportedly opting out of work[3]. This has sparked controversy, with some in the aviation community claiming controllers have "walked off the job." However, the controller's union maintains that the controllers took time off due to traumatic events, not job dissatisfaction[3].
As travelers like Greg Marszalek and Stephen Lance grapple with multiple delays during their journey home from a birthday celebration in Manhattan, they fear taking to the skies again if faced with a similar experience[5]. "We can rent a car and just drive up to the border. Ottawa's pretty close to the border," Marszalek said[5].
Peter Goelz, former managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board, calls the situation at Newark airport "ridiculous." "We have a very safe system, but anytime it's stressed like this, where you have controllers who are feeling under maximum pressure, it impacts safety - and people have a right to be concerned," Goelz told CNN[5].
Sen. Chuck Schumer, representing New York, has called for an investigation into the issues at Newark, fearing the problems could spread nationwide. Schumer cited staffing cuts under the Trump administration as a culprit for the FAA's current state[6]. About 225 flights into or out of Newark Airport were canceled over the weekend, with over 950 flights delayed, according to FlightAware[6].
The chaos at Newark airport can be attributed to several factors, including an air traffic controller shortage, equipment failures, runway closures, and outdated equipment[6]. Many of the affected flights have been through United Airlines, which addressed the challenges in a statement[6].
In a statement, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby described the control facility responsible for traffic at Newark as "chronically understaffed for years." Kirby also attributed technology failures to the delays, where the systems used by FAA air traffic controllers to manage planes coming in and out of Newark failed on multiple occasions, causing delays and cancellations. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy acknowledged the role of outdated air traffic control systems in the delays and promised to implement new, advanced systems[6].
As the situation continues to unfold, travelers can only hope for a speedy resolution and a return to smooth skies. Until then, staying patient and flexible in the face of unforeseen complications may be the key to a successful journey.
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[1] NPR. (2022, May 3). Newark airport chaos: What happened, and how is it being managed? Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://www.npr.org/2022/05/03/1101843326/newark-airport-chaos-what-happened-and-how-is-it-being-managed
[2] NBC News. (2022, May 3). Delays persist at Newark Airport as FAA, airlines scramble to address staffing shortage. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/delays-persist-newark-airport-faa-airlines-scramble-address-staffing-shortage-n1277845
[3] USA Today. (2022, May 3). Controllers didn't "walk off the job," union says; they took trauma-related leave after Newark Airport mess up. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/controllers-didnt-walk-job-union-says-they-took-trauma-related-leave-after-newark-2022-05-03/
[4] The New York Times. (2022, May 3). Newark Airport’s Staffing Shortage: 'It's Beyond Frustrating.' Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/03/nyregion/newark-airport-staffing-shortage.html
[5] CNN. (2022, May 3). Air traffic control staffing crisis leads to massive delays at Newark Airport. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/03/business/newark-airport-delays-air-traffic-control/index.html
[6] The Washington Post. (2022, May 3). Newark Airport's flight delays could be a 'harbinger' of coming chaos. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/05/03/newark-airport-flight-delays-could-be-harbinger-coming-chaos/
Enrichment Data Summary:
The ongoing chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport has resulted from a combination of factors, including an air traffic controller shortage, equipment failures, runway closures, and outdated equipment. The situation was further exacerbated by protests from air traffic controllers and mismanagement by the FAA. The relocation of Newark's controllers to the airport itself also added strain due to inadequate infrastructure, leading to stress-related health issues amongst the staff. [1][2][3][4]
- The chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport can be attributed to a combination of factors such as air traffic controller shortage, equipment failures, runway closures, and outdated equipment.
- The relocation of Newark's air traffic controllers to the airport itself added strain due to inadequate infrastructure, leading to stress-related health issues amongst the staff.
- Protest from air traffic controllers and mismanagement by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have further exacerbated the situation at Newark Airport.
- The air traffic controller shortage at Newark Airport, which has resulted in over 20% of controllers opting out of work, has sparked controversy and fears of similar incidents in the finance, transportation, and aviation industries.
