On Monday afternoon, Newark Liberty International Airport experienced significant disruptions due to a radar issue, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA confirmed that the radar malfunction prompted a temporary ground stop at the airport, which began around 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The radar issue caused a slowdown in incoming flights to Newark. In response, the FAA implemented a ground stop for flights arriving at Newark, while departures from the airport were also delayed. The FAA reported that departures from Newark were delayed by at least 30 minutes. The disruption also extended to Teterboro Airport, which issued a ground stop due to the radar issue affecting Newark.
The FAA's website indicated that flights departing to Newark from the Midwest and southern regions, with the exception of Miami, were grounded. Flights from the western regions continued to operate, although delays were still expected. At Teterboro Airport, flight departures faced delays of at least 75 minutes.
The FAA's response included efforts to repair the radar issue and resume normal operations as quickly as possible. The situation underscored the impact of technical malfunctions on air travel, highlighting the FAA's role in managing and mitigating disruptions.
Thousands of flights have been affected this year by the persistent air traffic controller (ATC) staffing shortage, despite efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to remedy it. The New York metropolitan region, with its three airports, has become a particular hotspot for aircraft delays caused by ATC issues.
It occurs during the nation's busiest-ever Labor Day weekend travel forecast. In order to guarantee that aircraft depart on schedule and safely, airports and airlines have been operating around the clock.
To assist reduce delays brought on by a lack of ATC staff, the FAA announced in July that it will transfer portion of Newark's airspace jurisdiction to Philadelphia, according to Simple Flying. According to The Wall Street Journal, 24 ATC employees had to move from their Long Island, New York facility to the City of Brotherly Love when the agency moved control of traffic at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) facility at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).