Air Traffic Control Failures Spark Safety Concerns Nationwide

NEWARK, New Jersey — Communication failures causing chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport have highlighted a deeper, nationwide crisis in air traffic control systems. Equipment failures reported by air traffic controllers and pilots over the years have repeatedly jeopardized flight safety.

In 2023, a veteran air traffic controller in Tampa described a harrowing moment when he lost all contact with pilots, as two planes were on a collision course. In another instance, an Indiana controller reported being unable to communicate with an aircraft that experienced a door failure mid-flight. These alarming incidents represent a growing trend, according to a CNN review of safety reports submitted to NASA‘s Aviation Safety Reporting System.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed its awareness of frequent radar and radio outages across the nation. In 2024 alone, the FAA issued advisories about equipment failures nearly every other day. Dave Riley, a former air traffic controller, expressed concern about the aging system. “The flying public should not have to think about whether the equipment is going to work,” he said.

The FAA did not address the specific incidents raised by CNN but acknowledged the aging infrastructure. “Our system is outdated and showing its age,” the FAA stated, noting that safety measures include contingency plans for possible equipment failures.

Florida Institute of Technology‘s Margaret Wallace, a former air traffic controller, mentioned that outdated technology causes more risk. “These systems are overused and way too old to handle the capacity they need to,” she said. Experts warn that even minor equipment failures can distract controllers, making operations less effective.

The pervasive nature of these issues became glaringly apparent during an outage in Newark that left controllers unable to communicate with multiple aircraft. Reports reveal that airline crews and air traffic controllers have often faced dangerous situations due to technological failures, particularly at high-traffic facilities.

In light of recent outages, the Department of Transportation has promised a review of the nation’s air traffic control systems by 2028. Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the aging infrastructure creates safety issues that must be urgently addressed. While some controllers have expressed concern about their ability to manage increasing workloads caused by equipment outages, others maintain that the system’s current operations remain safe.

As Newark Liberty International Airport navigates ongoing disruptions, concerns continue to mount about the broader air traffic control challenges facing the country. “When all the redundancies break down, those are the scary situations where fatalities can happen,” Riley said.