A fiber optic cable cut by construction workers in New Jersey disrupted air traffic across major airports in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, causing severe delays for international travelers, according to reports from VG and TV 2. The incident occurred on Monday, September 21, as approximately 130 world leaders arrived in New York for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly high-level week.
New York Airports Paralyzed During UN General Assembly Arrival
The infrastructure failure shut down ground traffic at several of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport, and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, which is heavily used by private jets and VIPs, according to VG. Bryan Bedford of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially promised a quick fix before acknowledging that repairing the severed fiber cable would take several hours, as reported by VG. The shutdown struck as hundreds of diplomats, journalists, and heads of state descended upon the city.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre Evacuated and Rerouted
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) was directly impacted when his flight from Canada’s capital, Ottawa, to New York was abruptly canceled, according to VG and TV 2. State Secretary Bhanuja Rasiah (Ap) confirmed to TV 2 that passengers were escorted off the grounded aircraft. To make sure he arrived for the UN events, Støre accepted an offer to catch a ride on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plane, according to TV 2. While the logistical pivot caused Støre to miss a scheduled program at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) on Monday evening—where Finnish President Alexander Stubb still attended as planned, per VG—Rasiah confirmed he reached New York in time for the start of the UN high-level meetings on Tuesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the major airport shutdowns in the New York area?
Construction workers in New Jersey accidentally severed a fiber optic cable, which grounded flights across major airports in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, according to VG. An additional circuit failure in Philadelphia compounded the disruptions.
Which airports were affected by the fiber cable cut?
The disruptions impacted John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport, and Teterboro Airport, according to VG.
How did Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reach New York?
After his flight from Ottawa was canceled, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre accepted a ride on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s aircraft to arrive in New York for the UN General Assembly, according to state secretary Bhanuja Rasiah’s statements reported by TV 2.
Did you know?
Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, one of the facilities impacted by the fiber cable cut, is primarily utilized by private aircraft and VIP travelers attending major diplomatic summits in the region, according to VG.
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