Newark Liberty International Airport is facing chronic delays due to outdated air traffic control systems that have not been sufficiently maintained over decades. With crucial equipment dating back to the 1970s, including systems relying on floppy disks, the airport has seen significant service disruptions. Recent outages at the FAA's Philadelphia control center and a parallel shortage of air traffic controllers have worsened the situation, contributing to record delays for thousands of flights. These issues highlight the critical need for modernization in the nation's aviation infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient air travel.
"If you lose one or both of your critical primary tools to perform your job, and you know that those aircraft are flying at speeds up to 250 miles an hour converging on each other, that is stressful," said Michael McCormick, a retired air traffic control supervisor who worked for the FAA for 33 years.
The problems with the equipment have come to a head at Newark, compounded by a shortage of air traffic controllers and an ongoing runway reconstruction thatâs caused a bottleneck.
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