The article discusses significant safety concerns at Newark Liberty International Airport due to outdated air traffic control technology and the recent loss of communication between controllers and aircraft over the past two weeks. The airport has experienced thousands of delays and cancellations, leading to severe passenger disruptions as the summer travel season approaches.
Key issues include reliance on obsolete systems such as floppy disks and copper wiring, which have resulted in technical failures. An incident on April 28 caused a communications blackout, highlighting systemic flaws. Air traffic controllers, already stretched thin, have suffered from stress-related leave, further exacerbating staffing shortages.
In response, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a three-year plan to modernize the air traffic control system, aiming for completion by 2028. This includes upgrading essential infrastructure with fiber optics and new technology to enhance reliability. Currently, staffing is at its lowest point in decades, and training new controllers can take up to seven years, stressing the urgent need for reform.
Experts emphasize that the problems at Newark reflect broader issues within U.S. aviation, as the outdated systems and staffing challenges pose significant risks to air travel safety going forward.
Source link
