Airport chaos due to outdated technology, staffing gaps, and building issues at Newark Airport.
Updated May 7, 2025 at 1:09 PM CDT
Crippling chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport left hundreds of flights delayed and canceled on both Tuesday and Monday. Bad weather, staffing shortages, an outdated infrastructure, and the airport's busiest runway being closed for renovations until June all contributed to the chaos. A pivotal moment came on April 28, when a radar and communications blackout at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) left air traffic controllers blind and unable to communicate with planes for up to 90 seconds.
Subsequent to this incident, some air traffic controllers at the Philadelphia TRACON took time off due to stress and trauma, according to a joint statement from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Air Traffic Controllers Association. On Tuesday, Newark reported that more than 424 incoming and outgoing flights were delayed and 160 flights had been cancelled. The flight problems persisted into Tuesday, with more than 370 flights into and out of Newark being delayed and more than 500 were cancelled, according to flight-tracking website, FlightAware.
During a talk show on Fox News, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that archaic technology is a crucial issue plaguing the nation's air traffic control systems.
"We're dealing with the Original Nokia here, Martha. You can't update the flip phone," Duffy declared. Paul Rinaldi, vice president of safety and operations at Airlines for America and a former traffic controller, concurred with Duffy in an interview with Morning Edition, stating, "It's an accurate comparison. If you look at the technology we're using, most of it is from the late 1980s to the 1990s. We still use floppy disks to update our information system. We still have paper strips that we walk around the tower cab with, that each controller writes something on and then hand it to the next controller. It's outdated when you think about the technology that's out there that's being used around the world."
Duffy is anticipated to announce a sweeping modernization of U.S air traffic control on May 8, implementation of which aims to update the outdated infrastructure that contributes to chronic delays and staffing across the country.
Rinaldi spoke with NPR's A Martinez about the pressing issues affecting airlines and the Federal Aviation Agency and the steps necessary to modernize U.S. air traffic systems.
In the interview (edited for length and clarity), Martinez inquired about the most urgent upgrade for modernization:
Martinez: What is the most critical upgrade needed for the modernization of airport technology?
Rinaldi: There are multiple areas that Secretary Duffy needs to focus on initially. Hiring more air traffic controllers would give an immediate boost, and they're aims to enroll around 3,000 air traffic controllers in academies this year. In addition, they're concentrating on installing fiber optic wires throughout our entire system. Unfortunately, the Newark failure we experienced a few days ago isn't an isolated incident. Archaic copper wires are prone to issue throughout the system and must be upgraded.
Martinez: Is it accurate to compare the U.S air traffic control system to a flip phone?
Rinaldi: It's a very fair comparison. The technology we're using is almost as old as the flip phone. We still rely on floppy disks to update our information system and use paper strips that each controller writes on and passes along. We need to upgrade the system.
Martinez: How did the system fall behind? Wasn't it obvious that investing in modern technology should have been done years ago?
Rinaldi: It's been decades in the making. There's been a lot of blame to go around. However, the funding structure for aviation is unpredictable and prone to shutdowns, which continually jeopardize hiring, training, and modernization initiatives.
Martinez: So that's the consequence, right? We're stuck in the past when it comes to the air traffic control system?
Rinaldi: Yes, our air traffic control system is highly functional, operating 24/7, 365 days a year. It just needs stable, reliable funding for modernization so that we can maintain and provide the American people with the safest, most modern system possible.
Martinez: Last week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby informed customers that 20% of Newark controllers "walked off the job." Given your background, is that an accurate depiction of what truly happened?
Rinaldi: I'm not exactly sure what transpired that day. Some reports state that the controllers were absent for 30 to 90 seconds. However, when controllers can't verify the location of aircraft on the radar scope due to freezing or jumping issues combined with static frequency interference, it's incredibly nerve-wracking.
Martinez: Despite these disruptions, people will continue to travel, and it remains a safe way to travel overall. But have you observed a waning trust in the airlines and related industries?
Rinaldi: Aviation is the safest form of transportation, so flying is safe. The recent delays in Newark, mainly caused by construction affecting takeoff and landing capacities, inevitably slow the system to ensure safety and air traffic public safety.
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- The Chaos at the Newark airport on both Monday and Tuesday was due in part to a series of shutdowns, including radar and communications blackouts, staff shortages, an outdated infrastructure, and a closed runway for renovations until June.
- During a talk show on Fox News, the Transportation Secretary emphasized that archaic technology is a crucial issue plaguing the nation's air traffic control systems, comparing it to an Old Nokia phone.
- Paul Rinaldi, a former traffic controller and vice president of safety and operations at Airlines for America, agreed that the technology is outdated, as most of it is from the late 1980s to the 1990s and still uses floppy disks and paper strips for updates.
- Duffy is expected to announce a sweeping modernization of U.S air traffic control on May 8, with a focus on hiring more air traffic controllers, enrolling 3,000 in academies this year, and installing fiber optic wires throughout the system to replace prone-to-issues copper wires.
- The average delay at Newark airport on Tuesday amounted to more than 424 incoming and outgoing flights being delayed and 160 flights cancelled, according to flight-tracking website, FlightAware, with the problems persisting into Tuesday.
- Despite traveling being a safe way to travel, there has been a reported waning trust in airlines and related industries due to recent disruptions, yet aviation remains the safest form of transportation.
