The continuous delays at Newark Liberty International Airport follow a concerning system failure from last week when reports indicate that the air traffic control computer monitors were offline for approximately one minute.
Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, stated in an email to clients over the weekend that the system utilized for managing aircraft at Newark Airport experienced multiple failures recently.
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The flight disruptions due to equipment issues were exacerbated when over twenty percent of Newark’s air traffic controllers left their posts, he mentioned.
Throughout the blackout, controllers were unable to connect with pilots. This event led multiple controllers to request medical leave, describing it as an extremely distressing experience.
“It was just a long day of rebookings, delays over and over and over again. It was horrible,” Jessica Markowitz said after finally returning back home, seven hours after her flight should have landed. “You just sit in the airport and you’re stuck.”
Tom Kinton, the former CEO of Massport, states that the Federal Aviation Administration has been dealing with staff shortages for an extended period. He emphasizes that increasing the number of air traffic controllers and modernizing systems is not something that can be accomplished rapidly or simply.
“We have a lengthy time frame ahead of us. This issue won’t be settled within just months or even years,” Kington stated.
Kinton said he has one recommendation to avoid delays.
” Aim for getting as many direct flights as possible to avoid potential delays from changing planes at multiple airports,” Kington advised.
The Associated Press provided contributions to this report.
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Boston travelers affected after flight delays cause chaos at Newark Airport
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