Senator Schumer requests investigation into FAA operations due to ongoing delays at Newark Airport.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for a federal investigation into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following significant delays at Newark Airport. Schumer voiced concerns regarding ongoing disruptions in air traffic, suggesting that this situation could foreshadow broader issues if not addressed promptly.
Delays at Newark Airport intensified on April 28, when two simultaneous failures of the FAA’s air traffic control network—one impacting controllers’ radar systems and the other affecting communication lines—led to a two-hour halt in air traffic. Although sources indicate these issues have been temporarily resolved, systemic problems persist. A shortage of qualified air traffic controllers overseeing northern New Jersey’s airspace has resulted in ongoing flight cancellations and delays.
In a letter addressed to Mitch Behm, acting inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Schumer emphasized the need for an in-depth inquiry into the recent dual outages and the ongoing staffing crisis within the FAA. He expressed his concerns about the FAA’s operational inefficiencies and insisted on accountability to ensure effective functioning for the American people.
The investigation Schumer is advocating for will examine the FAA’s administrative, operational, and capital functions. Specifically, he is seeking clarification regarding the FAA’s decision not to include Philadelphia’s Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility in a recent effort to offer compensation incentives aimed at attracting staff to geographical areas facing labor shortages. Notably, both New York and Washington, D.C.’s TRACONs were also excluded from this pay adjustment.
Additionally, Schumer urged a review of the FAA’s plans to modernize critical infrastructure responsible for relaying radar and communication data to air traffic controllers. The current system has displayed vulnerabilities that have led to repeated outages, as was observed in the recent disruptions.
The airspace over northern New Jersey was reassigned from New York City’s air traffic control to the Philadelphia control center last summer in an attempt to alleviate pressure on the Long Island facility. However, the radar data for the airspace still originates in Long Island, creating a problematic configuration that can result in delays.
On the day of the outage, over 150 flights at Newark were canceled, with an additional 265 delayed, dramatically impacting travelers. In response, United Airlines reduced its daily flights from Newark by approximately 10%, equating to 35 flights, as a direct reaction to the instability within the air traffic management system.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia airports, has also called on the FAA to address these staffing and technological challenges. The agency has invested billions in enhancing Newark Liberty but insists that the success of these investments hinges on a fully operational and adequately staffed federal air traffic system. Amid growing frustrations, officials from the Port Authority expressed understanding and empathy for travelers impacted by the delays, emphasizing the urgent need for resolution.
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