Another Hiccup at Newark Airport: Ancient Tech Falters, Causing Communication Blackout
Unforeseen security lapse discovered at US airport, Newark, neighboring New York
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For the second time in a fortnight, Newark Airport, located west of New York City, has faced a major setback in its security systems. On Friday morning, at approximately 3:55 AM local time, air traffic controllers faced a 90-second communications blackout with pilots overseeing aircraft landing and taking off. This disruption impacted radar screens and ground communication systems.
This recent glitch echoes a similar incident on April 28, which led to several flight cancellations. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed these events, acknowledging the ongoing challenges with the nation's air traffic control (ATC) system[1]. In response, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has initiated plans for a comprehensive modernization of ATC systems by the end of 2028, hoping to update technology that dates back to the 1960s[2].
Newark Liberty International Airport, one of three airports serving the New York metropolitan area, has seen increased scrutiny surrounding air safety in recent months. Tensions peaked in late January following the deadliest aircraft crash in the US since 2009, which took place at the national airport of Washington D.C.[3]. A collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter resulted in the loss of 67 lives.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
[1] US Air Traffic Control Struggles Amidst Staff Shortage (The Washington Post, 2022)[2] Modernizing America's Air Traffic Control System (US DOT, 2022)[3] Deadly Collision at Washington D.C.'s National Airport (CNN, 2022)
- A technician at Newark Airport might have encountered another security breach, as a similar junior Outage occurred on Friday morning, affecting the air traffic controllers' communication systems.
- Following the recent incident, a WhatsApp message circulated among travelers discussing the potential need for a quick Power outage to fix the malfunctioning general-news systems, while some citizens appealed for immediate federal intervention in the Crime-and-justice matter.
- In the wake of the security breach, critics have questioned the US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's strategies in modernizing the country's air traffic technology, as the ongoing issues persist despite his ambitious plans to upgrade the antiquated systems.
- some Politicians have leveraged the situation to call for enhanced Security Breach measures at Newark's airport, emphasizing that the airport's past controversies could manifest as a significant political liability in the future.
- As the nation grapples with the consequences of the security breach and the call for technology upgrades, a new series of discussions regarding airport safety and national security is unfolding in the halls of politics and policy-making in the US, shedding light on the complex intersection of technology and Justice.
