For the second time in two weeks, air traffic controllers guiding planes into Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey experienced a radar outage, sparking new concerns over the safety and reliability of the U.S. air traffic control system.
The incident occurred early Friday morning, on May 10, 2025, at 3:55 a.m., when the radar at a Philadelphia-based FAA facility went dark for about 90 seconds, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Second Outage in Two Weeks
This is a repeat of an earlier radar failure on April 28, which had already caused major flight delays and cancellations at Newark airport. That outage led to the FAA slowing down traffic at the airport to prioritize safety.
After the April incident, several air traffic controllers went on trauma leave, putting more pressure on a workforce that was already facing shortages.
Why Did the Radar Fail?
The FAA explained that the radar signal between Philadelphia and New York is still being transmitted over some old copper wire, which is prone to failure. To fix the issue, the FAA has started installing new fiber optic lines to replace the outdated infrastructure.
Officials say the new lines will offer faster, more stable connections, helping to prevent future blackouts that could endanger both flights and airport operations.
Government Announces Major Upgrade Plan
Just a day before the latest outage, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a multi-billion-dollar plan to modernize the U.S. air traffic control system. The upgrade aims to prevent similar technical problems and provide modern tools and support for air traffic controllers nationwide.
The new plan was fast-tracked after a tragic midair crash in January, which involved a passenger jet and an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., killing 67 people. While investigators have not confirmed if radar issues caused that crash, the incident highlighted the need to modernize outdated systems.
Longstanding Problems With Air Traffic Systems
Experts say the flaws in the U.S. air traffic control system have been known for decades, but slow upgrades and lack of funding have allowed the problem to continue. The latest incidents show just how urgently these updates are needed.