By Matt Underwood Last week’s brief outage at Newark Airport, lasting only 60 to 90 seconds, may seem insignificant, but the fact that air traffic control screens went dark highlights a critical vulnerability in our air travel system. The sheer brevity of the disruption, during which planes traveled roughly 12 miles, might lead one to downplay the incident. However, the potential consequences of a longer outage are deeply concerning.
A seemingly simple burnt copper wire was the culprit, underscoring the reliance on outdated infrastructure. This incident underscores the urgent need for modernization and raises questions about the robustness of the entire system. The reliance on copper wiring in 2025, instead of fiber optics, is a glaring example of this technological lag, as even Senator Schumer has pointed out. While the senator’s suggestion to simply switch to fiber optics might sound simple, the reality of implementing such a large-scale change is significantly more complex, requiring substantial infrastructure investment.
Despite the short duration, the outage highlights a critical single point of failure in the system. This is particularly alarming considering the potential for catastrophic consequences should such a failure occur during a busier period or for a longer duration. The lack of redundancy within the system exposes a dangerous vulnerability, particularly in a high-density airspace like Newark. The potential for a plane crash with hundreds of casualties is a sobering reminder of the stakes involved. A comprehensive overhaul of the system is long overdue. Years of deferred maintenance, possibly due to underfunding or prioritization issues, have seemingly left the system dangerously vulnerable.
The incident also raises questions about existing protocols for dealing with such outages. While large jets possess their own collision avoidance and radar systems, these are not a substitute for the coordination provided by air traffic control. The absence of a clear, readily implemented protocol during an ATC blackout is unsettling. There’s a reliance on the pilots’ expertise and judgment during a period where the crucial coordination of air traffic control is absent. Retired air traffic controllers have indicated that in such situations, they could potentially revert to manual systems like paper charts. But this is far from ideal, especially in high-density airspace. It offers only an estimate of aircraft positions, not their actual locations, severely limiting accuracy and responsiveness.
The comments about pilots continuing their approach even without ATC communication raise crucial points about safety. While continuing with a flight plan might seem counterintuitive, halting all air traffic during such a short outage isn’t necessarily the safest option. A sudden stop could lead to even greater risks, especially during approaches or in already-congested airspace. The unpredictability of a massive, sudden halt in air traffic, contrasted with the relative predictability of existing flight plans, makes the continued flight a better option in the short term. However, the absence of communication makes decision-making incredibly complex for pilots in crucial moments like landing approaches. It is the pilots who have the final say, but the lack of clear guidance and the increased burden of responsibility during an ATC outage create additional safety concerns. During a more prolonged outage, a different approach would become necessary, potentially including emergency landings at available locations and grounding of all departing flights.
The incident at Newark Airport serves as a wake-up call highlighting the critical need for modernization and investment in air traffic control infrastructure. The reliance on outdated technology and a lack of redundancy in the system expose significant vulnerabilities that need immediate attention to avoid future crises. While the 60-90 second outage may seem minor in retrospect, the potential for more serious consequences should be cause for urgent action. Investing in updated infrastructure isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about the safety of countless passengers and crew members. The incident underscores the importance of prioritizing preventative maintenance and redundancy, ensuring that future outages are either prevented entirely or have far less potential impact.