Officials A series of equipment failures over the past two weeks at the Philadelphia-based air traffic control facility that manages flights in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport has raised safety concerns among travelers.
Officials In just the last week, two outages occurred, contributing to growing unease during a year already marked by a fatal runway collision and several near misses across the country.
Officials Most recently, on Sunday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted flights heading to Newark due to what it called a “telecommunications issue” affecting air traffic controllers at Philadelphia TRACON Area C. The ground stop lasted approximately 45 minutes before operations resumed, with the FAA stating that a backup system successfully took over during the disruption.
Officials Earlier in the week, on Friday morning, another brief but significant failure occurred — a 90-second outage impacted both radar and radio communications at the same control center. These incidents followed a more serious breakdown on April 28 during a peak afternoon travel period. That outage had more severe consequences: five employees at the facility were placed on trauma leave, and more than 1,000 flights at Newark were canceled.
Officials According to the FAA, those five employees make up over 10% of the facility’s workforce. There are also 21 additional personnel currently in training, including 10 who are certified to work independently.
Officials Despite the disruptions, federal aviation officials maintain that Newark Liberty remains safe for air travel. Still, the repeated issues have drawn attention to the strain on the nation’s air traffic infrastructure and the staffing challenges at critical facilities.
Officials The Philadelphia TRACON facility, which oversees flights in and out of Newark and operates around the clock, had just three controllers on duty late Monday night. During peak daytime hours, the center is supposed to be staffed with 14 personnel. However, officials acknowledge that it has been years since the facility has had enough available staff to meet that goal.
Officials Given the recent outages, travelers might wonder whether it’s still safe to fly into Newark Liberty International Airport.
Officials Air traffic controllers have voiced serious concerns to CNN, saying the recent technical failures have endangered both airline crews and passengers.
A Newark approach controller with over two decades of experience, who spoke anonymously due to his current employment status, expressed alarm over the situation. “It feels like we’re playing Russian roulette.”
Despite these concerns, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, whose airline operates a major hub at Newark, defended the airport’s safety record.
“They know the facts, and their top priority is always keeping passengers safe.”
He added that his role as CEO is made easier by the commitment of United’s workforce. When they’re proud of what they do—like the team at Newark yesterday—they go above and beyond to make you feel safe, comfortable, and cared for.”
While air travel remains broadly safe, the recent outages come during an already difficult year for the aviation industry. Several serious incidents have heightened public concern, including a fatal midair collision over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a medevac jet crash in Philadelphia, and a regional airline crash off the coast of Nome, Alaska, which claimed 10 lives.
These recent incidents follow a series of deadly crashes, including Jeju Air and Azerbaijan Airlines accidents in December 2024. They also come nearly a year after two high-profile safety failures: a Boeing aircraft door panel blowout in the U.S. and a fiery runway collision in Japan.
Captain Dennis Tajer, spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association—which represents American Airlines pilots—said professional aviators are trained to handle problems, not just smooth flights.
He noted that commercial aircraft are equipped with at least two radios, and air traffic controllers operate on multiple frequencies, so losing one line of communication doesn’t spell disaster. In emergencies, pilots can also rely on a dedicated “guard frequency” that is constantly monitored for urgent transmissions.
“The bottom line is that we’re trained and equipped for these situations by regulation,” said Captain Dennis Tajer. “We’re experts in using the tools we have, including multiple radios and backup frequencies, which allow us to stay in contact with other aircraft and air traffic control, even during disruptions.”
Tajer also pointed out that commercial aircraft are equipped with a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which helps pilots detect and avoid other planes that may be flying too close. The system plays a critical role in maintaining safe distances between aircraft, especially in scenarios where communication is compromised.
Despite recent incidents and heightened public concern, aviation remains the safest form of transportation, according to Anthony Brickhouse, a U.S.-based aviation safety expert who spoke to CNN in March.
Even in extreme cases where air traffic control loses the ability to communicate by radio, Brickhouse noted there are still ways to manage flight operations. “If controllers can see the aircraft but can’t broadcast, they can use signal lights to communicate—flashing different colors to indicate when it’s safe to land or when a plane needs to wait.”
According to data reviewed by CNN from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the number of aviation accident investigations has declined in early 2025.
In comparison, the same period last year saw 185 investigations, and from 2010 to 2019, the average for the first quarter was around 215.
“I actually think this year is worse, despite fewer investigations, because of everything that’s now coming to light,” said CNN transportation analyst Mary Schiavo.
Speaking to CNN in April, Schiavo pointed to the 15,214 “near miss events” reported between 2021 and 2024—cases where aircraft came within one nautical mile and had less than 400 feet of vertical separation, particularly near Reagan National Airport.
She stressed that a slower but safer approach to air travel is necessary as the system grapples with ongoing challenges. The U.S. aviation network continues to face a range of issues, including outdated infrastructure, inconsistent funding, and significant staffing shortages at critical facilities.
The situation has been further strained by the ongoing closure of the airport’s busiest runway for rehabilitation work.
During peak periods, the facility can require up to 14 controllers. However, due to the ongoing nationwide shortage of air traffic personnel, the FAA acknowledged that the control center hasn’t operated with a full staff of 14 in years.
An FAA spokesperson emphasized to CNN that 14 is the maximum staffing level, not a typical one, and current conditions reflect long-standing challenges in maintaining adequate personnel.
Still, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reassured travelers that flying remains safe both at Newark and across the country. He noted that airlines, including United, are proactively reducing the number of daily departures to ease pressure on air traffic operations and maintain safety standards.
“What we do in the event of staffing shortages or technology failures is something we train for regularly,” Kirby explained. “In such situations, we slow down the airline’s operations. By reducing the number of departures at each airport, we ensure there’s always a sufficient margin of safety for every flight.”
Kirby reiterated this message in an email to MileagePlus members who either live near Newark or have upcoming trips involving the airline’s hub there.
“When the FAA faces issues like technology disruptions or staffing shortages, they require airlines to reduce the number of flights in operation to ensure the highest safety standards are met.”
The email also included a link to a video that outlines the various safety measures already in place, such as backup radar systems and advanced technologies that assist pilots in detecting other aircraft in the vicinity.
He points out that nearby airports may also face delays as a result of reduced traffic at Newark.
“Until we see consistent, reliable flights without delays at Newark, I’d recommend avoiding it if possible,” Soucie said.
Although the reduction in flight numbers could lead to weeks, or even months, of frustration for travelers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy explained that this strategy helps airlines maintain safety during the busy summer season.
“Our top priority is safety, and while I dislike delays, cancellations, and families sitting in airports for hours, we want to ensure you reach your destination,” Duffy said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“These discussions must begin with the FAA,” Soucie told CNN on Sunday. “We can’t leave it to the airlines to decide what they think they can handle.”
Soucie emphasized, “That’s the FAA’s responsibility.”
When Can We Expect a Solution?
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed a three-year initiative to develop a “new air traffic control system,” which will focus on crucial upgrades to communications, surveillance, automation, and facilities. By 2028, more than 4,600 locations will receive upgraded high-speed network connections, replacing outdated telecommunication lines with fiber, wireless, and satellite links, the department announced.
The FAA also intends to establish three new “high-bandwidth telecommunications connections” between New York and Philadelphia, replacing copper lines with fiber-optic technology, and implementing a backup system to enhance speed and reliability.
Duffy also pointed to air traffic control failures that began under the Biden administration and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Duffy announced that he would request an investigation by the inspector general into the shortcomings of the last administration, as well as the decision to shift Newark-bound flight control.
On Tuesday, the FAA reported completing upgrades to air traffic control simulators at 56 locations across the country. These simulators have improved training efficiency by 27% for new recruits, according to the agency.
“These state-of-the-art simulators provide a top-tier training environment for air traffic control trainees,” said Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau.
Tajer likened the disruptions in Newark to a “volcano that’s erupting,” but he noted that there are other issues within the air travel system.
“We need to address these other issues and put them into an inactive state by investing in technology modernizations,” he stated. We don’t fly without that confidence.”
On Sunday, a pilot broadcasted a message to the Newark approach controller at the same time flights heading to the airport were halted by a ground stop.