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In a bid to address ongoing disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport, the FAA is taking decisive steps to bolster staffing at the air traffic control center. This comes after a radar and communications blackout disrupted operations at the airport last Monday, leading to significant delays and cancellations in the following days.
The outage was caused by a fried piece of copper wire, which left air traffic controllers unable to communicate with aircraft for roughly 60 to 90 seconds. As a result, several air traffic controllers have taken medical leave, citing the incident as a traumatic event.
To mitigate the crisis, the FAA is deploying air traffic control supervisors from across the US to the facility controlling Newark's airspace. Although this is not seen as a quick fix, the agency aims to bring in experienced personnel to provide emergency relief. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is also expected to announce additional initiatives this week, including offers to delay retirement for senior controllers with bonuses.
Despite these efforts, travelers are still facing significant delays and cancellations, with Newark topping the global list for disruptions this past Monday. The FAA emphasizes the need for immediate upgrades to its antiquated air traffic control systems and improved resiliency across equipment.
Simultaneously, runway construction challenges and new security measures are adding to the airport’s operational hurdles. However, United Airlines has extended a travel waiver for affected passengers, allowing them to reschedule without fees. As Newark continues to navigate these challenges, stakeholders are calling for swift action to modernize infrastructure and enhance staffing.
For further details, read the original article from ABC7 New York: [Newark Airport latest: FAA increasing staffing at air traffic control center to ease disruptions](Source).
Newark Airport Disruptions: FAA Takes Action to Bolster Air Traffic Control Staffing
In a bid to address ongoing disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport, the FAA is taking decisive steps to bolster staffing at the air traffic control center. This comes after a radar and communications blackout disrupted operations at the airport last Monday, leading to significant delays and cancellations in the following days.
The outage was caused by a fried piece of copper wire, which left air traffic controllers unable to communicate with aircraft for roughly 60 to 90 seconds. As a result, several air traffic controllers have taken medical leave, citing the incident as a traumatic event.
To mitigate the crisis, the FAA is deploying air traffic control supervisors from across the US to the facility controlling Newark's airspace. Although this is not seen as a quick fix, the agency aims to bring in experienced personnel to provide emergency relief. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is also expected to announce additional initiatives this week, including offers to delay retirement for senior controllers with bonuses.
Despite these efforts, travelers are still facing significant delays and cancellations, with Newark topping the global list for disruptions this past Monday. The FAA emphasizes the need for immediate upgrades to its antiquated air traffic control systems and improved resiliency across equipment.
Simultaneously, runway construction challenges and new security measures are adding to the airport’s operational hurdles. However, United Airlines has extended a travel waiver for affected passengers, allowing them to reschedule without fees. As Newark continues to navigate these challenges, stakeholders are calling for swift action to modernize infrastructure and enhance staffing.
For further details, read the original article from ABC7 New York: [Newark Airport latest: FAA increasing staffing at air traffic control center to ease disruptions](Source).