Overview

• Philadelphia TRACON experienced an 87-second radar and communication blackout on April 28, prompting a multi-hour ground stop at Newark Liberty Airport.
• Newark Tower also suffered a 30-second communication failure, with both primary and backup systems failing, as confirmed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
• Since the outages, over 400 flights have been canceled and more than 1,500 delayed at Newark, with airlines like United cutting 35 daily flights to manage ongoing disruptions.
• The FAA has formally acknowledged that outdated systems lacking redundancy and chronic staffing shortages are undermining operational reliability and safety.
• Federal officials are preparing a multimillion-dollar proposal to modernize air traffic control systems, though implementation is expected to take years.