With Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the U.S., struggling with technological disruptions and staff shortages, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned in a TV interview Sunday that more U.S. airports could face similar disruptions as the busy summer travel season approaches.
Mr. Duffy recently announced a multi-billion dollar proposal to modernize and overhaul the country’s air traffic control system, and he said in an interview that he will meet with leaders of major airlines in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to develop plans to scale flights in Newark. How many flights can be reduced is unclear.
The comments come after a brief power outage at the air traffic control facility that guided the aircraft on Friday after a similar 90-second interruption late last month. Another air traffic device Sunday morning caused ground parking for about 45 minutes to arrive in Newark flights, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
this The problems have led to major delays and cancellations, leading to travelers’ safety issues and becoming a major challenge for the Trump administration.
Asked if it was still safe to fly out of Newark, Mr Duffy insisted: “We are the safest airspace”, adding that he and his family often traveled through the airport.
Mr Duffy said the country and Congress had under-focused on improving the “outdated systems” at major airports and described Newark’s recent problems in Newark due to “pressure on the old network.”
“What you see in Newark will happen elsewhere in the country,” Mr Duffy said in an NBC interview. “It must be fixed.”
He added: “I’m worried about the entire airspace.”
The power outage on Sunday was the result of a “telecommunication problem” in a Philadelphia facility that guided aircraft in and out of Newark airspace, the FAA said in a statement on social media.
“It briefly slowed the amplification of planes entering and leaving the airport when we ensured job layoffs,” the agency said, and operations have returned to normal around 10:50 a.m.
The trouble at US airports has caused great damage to travelers, but it is far away from its destination. According to FAA data
After a brief power outage in Newark in April, air traffic controllers were temporarily unable to communicate with pilots or see the plane, and in the next few days there were thousands of cancellations and delays stretching over five hours in Newark.
Duffy’s publicity for improving air travel includes investments in flight data management tools and upgrading radio system controllers for investments in communication with pilots, although many details are unclear, his plan requires Congressional approval. He also seeks to expand the mandatory retirement age for air traffic controllers under existing laws. The retirement age is 56 years old and can be extended to 61.
The Trump administration has laid off about 400 probation workers from the FAA in recent months, mainly due to the massive decline in federal agencies by Elon Musk.
When asked Sunday whether Mr. Musk’s efforts fueled Newark’s question, Mr. Duffy denied that they played a major role. He said no air traffic controllers or safety-related positions were cancelled and many layoffs have been brought back to the agency.
The FAA attributes many of Newark’s problems to equipment failures and a shortage of controllers and other staff.
On Sunday morning, the FAA warned Newark travelers due to staffing issues: Some arriving flights were delayed by an average of two hours and 32 minutes.
