A 60-90 second air traffic control computer outage at Newark Liberty International Airport last Monday caused a temporary halt to departures. The incident, attributed to telecommunications and equipment issues at the Philadelphia TRACON, led several controllers to take medical leave due to stress. The FAA acknowledged the existing controller shortage and ongoing equipment problems, impacting operations for several days. United Airlines proactively cancelled 35 round-trip flights daily to mitigate delays, exacerbated by runway construction and weather. The airport experienced significant delays and cancellations, prompting the FAA to address its antiquated system and upgrade technology.

Prepared by Jonathan Pierce and reviewed by editorial team.