Air traffic control delays delayed hundreds of flights across northeastern US airports on Monday afternoon after a construction crew in New Jersey accidentally severed a backup telecommunications cable.
Infrastructure Vulnerabilities and the Cause of the Outage
The equipment failure disabled the Terminal Radar Approach Control system, which guides aircraft during takeoff and landing procedures. NJ Transit reported to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, that its workers severed the line and that markers had been wrongly placed at the digging site.
Initially, Duffy posted on X that workers from Amtrak, the US national operator of intercity railroad service, caused the telecom outage. An Amtrak spokesperson later clarified in a statement reported by US media that the incident involved an NJ Transit contractor instead. Meanwhile, telecommunications company Verizon, which owns the damaged cable, stated that it was not responsible for the cut.
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Impact on Major Airports and Travelers
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey suffered the heaviest disruptions among facilities servicing the New York City region. FlightAware data showed 267 departing flights and 257 arriving flights delayed at Newark. John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport also experienced significant schedule setbacks.
Passengers faced extended tarmac waits and unexpected diversions as airlines scrambled to manage the ground stops. Douglas Tewnion, a traveler who boarded a flight from Edinburgh to New York, told the BBC that his plane diverted to Boston, Massachusetts, leaving passengers sitting on the tarmac for two hours without information.
The east coast disruptions unfolded just ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday, an event drawing scores of world leaders. Despite the widespread delays, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham managed to board his flight before the stoppage began and arrived as planned, according to reporting by the BBC.
Repairs and System Recovery
Crews worked to restore connectivity following the afternoon ground stops. According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, repair teams fixed the damaged cable, allowing airports to resume normal operations by Monday evening, though lingering delays remained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the air traffic control system outage?
Which airports experienced delays?
Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Philadelphia International airports experienced ground stops and extensive flight delays.
When did airports resume normal operations?
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported that the cable was repaired hours after the incident, allowing airports to resume normal operations with lingering delays expected.
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