Flights appear to be operating more normally at EWR, but the finger pointing and political fallout is just beginning.
Multiple reports have stated that air traffic controllers at EWR last week lost communications with packed airplanes flying in and out of the airport.
CNN quotes one EWR air traffic controller as saying that the air traffic system meltdown “was the most dangerous situation you could have.”
As the chaos continues to make headlines, a multi-billion-dollar overhaul of the US air traffic system is expected to be unveiled by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on 08MAY. Duffy says the US needs a new air traffic control system, including new radar technology, to prevent future equipment breakdowns.
“Urgency around upgrading the Federal Aviation Administration’s aging system has grown after a radar and radio outage early last week at the Philadelphia facility that guides planes to and from Newark Liberty International Airport left controllers temporarily unable to communicate with or see dozens of aircraft flying through the congested airspace,” Bloomberg reports. “The moment was a terrifying one for controllers that resulted in several taking trauma leave.”
Bloomberg News said the US Government Accountability Office last year warned that immediate action is needed, citing a 2023 FAA assessment that found 76% of the agency’s traffic systems were either unsustainable or potentially unsustainable. In 2024, the FAA said the average age of control towers was 40 years and the majority of radar systems were approaching that age as well.
Writing for MSNBC, reporter Rachel Maddow said Duffy spoke last week at a Trump Cabinet meeting and warned that if the “aging infrastructure” of the U.S. air traffic control system wasn’t updated, “there’s going to be failures and people will lose their lives.”
Fox News quotes US Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey as saying that the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has reached out to the FAA to get answers on what steps they’re taking to resolve this situation at EWR.
"Your family deserves to know that when you fly, you’ll be safe and you’ll get there on time. We’ll keep pressing to make sure it happens," Kim said.
Here’s a sample of some of the accusations being tossed by politicians:
- Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin posted an item on X/Twitter reminding Duffy of recent problems in US skies. “In case you missed it, Sean Duffy, there were near misses at DCA [Ronald Reagan-Washington National Airport in Crystal City, Va.], air traffic control screens are going dark at Newark, and America’s air travel system is falling apart under your and Donald Trump’s watch.”
- New Jersey State Senator Holly Schepis posted a letter to the U.S. FAA on her Linked In page. “I write to you today not only as a New Jersey State Senator, but on behalf of the thousands of frustrated constituents who have experienced repeated travel disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The situation at Newark has become unacceptable, with compounding factors including a chronic shortage of air traffic controllers, a long-planned runway closure, and an insufficient response by United Airlines and other airlines. While the shortage of air traffic controllers is a well-documented and long-standing national issue, United’s continued shifting of blame has done little to address the root problems or offer relief to affected passengers. In fact, the company’s response to the travel chaos starting Easter week was wholly inadequate and emblematic of a broader failure to plan and communicate effectively.”
- Critics of Duffy jumped all over him for posting a photo of some steak tacos his wife made on Cinco de Mayo, a day when there were massive problems at EWR.
FlightAware was reporting 84 inbound and outbound cancellations at EWR as of 9 a.m. ET on 07MAY.
Air Canada has an advisory posted on its travel news and updates page saying that customers currently scheduled to travel to, from or through EWR can make voluntary changes to their itinerary if they purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than 05MAY for travel between 06MAY and 17MAY, 2025. Customers can change their flight free of charge to travel to or from LGA or JFK, the airline says.
Porter Airlines’ website has an advisory out for 07MAY warning of operational issues at EWR. “A waiver may be issued for select flights, allowing passengers to change their bookings to fly earlier or later than scheduled, avoiding potential travel disruptions,” the airline says.
