The air traffic control system in the United States continues to face significant challenges, highlighted by a recent 90-second equipment failure that underscored long-term issues related to staffing shortages and inadequate funding. This incident has raised concerns over the efficiency and safety of air traffic management in some of the busiest airspace globally.
The equipment malfunction resulted in a cascade of disruptions, leading to hundreds of flight delays that affected thousands of travelers over the subsequent days.
Incident Overview
The outage lasted approximately 30 seconds, but it took an additional 30 to 60 seconds for aircraft to reappear on controller radars, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
While pilots from major American airlines are trained to manage such outages, retired air safety investigator Jeff Guzzetti pointed out that even a brief interruption “is an eternity for air traffic controllers.” The frequency of these outages has led some controllers to take mental health breaks to cope with the increasing pressure, the FAA reported.
The ripple effects of last week’s outage extended to over 1,500 flights at Newark, according to data from FlightAware. United Airlines, which operates a major hub at Newark, announced plans to reduce its daily flight schedule by 35 flights to alleviate operational pressures.
Additionally, ongoing construction work has resulted in the closure of one of Newark’s runways, further compounding travel disruptions.
Efforts for Improvement
In response to the incident, the FAA committed to increasing staffing at the Philadelphia facility and enhancing the communication systems used to relay data to controllers managing Newark flights. A temporary backup system will also be implemented to provide redundancy while transitioning to a more updated fiber-optic network.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to reveal an extensive upgrade plan for the nation’s air traffic control system soon, which may necessitate billions in new funding from Congress.
“It’s astonishing that today, in 2025, we still rely on computers that are based on Windows 95 and floppy disks,” remarked Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, during an interview in March.
According to the FAA, the average age of its control towers is 40 years, with many radar systems nearing four decades old. “Aging infrastructure inherently increases the risk of service disruptions,” the agency stated.
Growing Concerns Over Safety
While the April 28 equipment failure did not result in any accidents, it intensified concerns regarding an outdated system and a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers, especially in the New York City area, which is known for its heavy air traffic.
On an average day, U.S. air traffic controllers manage around 45,000 flights, according to FAA data.
The urgency to address these systemic issues escalated after a tragic accident on January 29, when a Black Hawk Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard. This incident marked the deadliest aviation crash in the United States since 2001.
“It took a catastrophic midair collision to finally draw attention to these issues,” Guzzetti noted.
Challenges Facing Newark
Newark Airport is grappling with operational challenges, primarily due to space limitations.
In 2022, Newark handled around 414,000 flights—11% fewer than its counterpart, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City—despite being approximately half the size of JFK.
Recent issues have been exacerbated by technological failures and staffing shortages. The FAA had previously relocated controllers for Newark from a Long Island facility to a satellite station in Philadelphia in an attempt to alleviate congestion, but persistent problems remain.
Airline executives are growing increasingly frustrated over the staffing shortages that hinder their ability to effectively meet consumer demand, particularly given the financial repercussions associated with the restriction on flights.
“This air traffic control facility has faced chronic understaffing for years. Without sufficient controllers, it is now evident—as conveyed by the FAA—that Newark cannot effectively accommodate the intended flight operations in the coming weeks and months,” United CEO Scott Kirby stated in a message to customers on Friday, as he announced the necessary schedule reductions.
Before the April 26 failure, Newark averaged four flight cancellations daily. Afterward, that figure surged to 39 cancellations per day through the following Monday, according to Cirium, a data analytics firm. While 80% of flights were operating on time in April before the incident, that number plummeted to 63%, which is significantly below industry standards, Cirium reported.
Managing Air Traffic Flow
Transportation Secretary Duffy has asserted that air travel remains safe. Following a recent visit to the Philadelphia facility, he indicated that the FAA would consider slowing down, or even halting, arrivals entirely if there were insufficient air traffic controllers on duty.
Kirby reassured United employees in a memo that safety protocols are strictly followed, and pilots are highly trained to safely navigate planes to their destinations even in the event of communication failures.
To alleviate congestion, airlines are advocating for capacity limits. “United has persistently urged the government over the years to use its authority to realistically limit the number of flights based on what Newark can safely handle,” emphasized Kirby in his memo. “The failure to implement these restrictions has led to the precarious situation our customers now face.”
In 2016, the FAA relaxed flight limits at Newark, and Kirby has called for a return to stricter regulations.
“It’s time to treat Newark as the prestigious airport it is,” he stated, reaffirming the commitment to work closely with both the FAA and the Transportation Department to enhance the airport’s air traffic system.
Addressing Human Resource Shortages
Currently, the United States employs approximately 10,800 air traffic controllers, falling short of the target staffing goal by about 3,000, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).
“In the past eight years, we’ve had 146,000 applicants, but only 7,905 have been hired,” said Chris Wilbanks, the FAA’s vice president responsible for controller hiring and training, during an interview in March. “Less than 10% of applicants make it to the training academy and successfully graduate.”
The FAA’s hiring goal for the previous fiscal year was set at 1,800 controllers.
“However, we anticipate losing 35% of those during academy training and an additional 20% during field training. Thus, the net gain in qualified controllers will be significantly lower than the target,” Wilbanks noted.
The demanding nature of the role necessitates that air traffic controllers retire by age 56, while applicants cannot be older than 30 years. Many controllers are also compelled to work six-day workweeks due to persistent staffing shortages.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Secretary Duffy has initiated efforts to enhance financial incentives for air traffic controllers, including increased pay. Presently, starting salaries hover around $45,000, although the median income for a U.S. air traffic controller stands at $144,580 annually, as per U.S. Labor Department statistics.
