Air travel across parts of the US was thrown into chaos after construction workers accidentally severed a telecommunications cable used by air traffic controllers, triggering widespread delays at major airports along the East Coast.
Highlights
- Hundreds of flights were delayed across several major US airports.
- Newark Liberty International Airport recorded the biggest disruption.
- The damaged cable affected the system used to guide planes during takeoff and landing.
- Officials said the cable was repaired hours after the incident.
- The disruption came just before world leaders began arriving in New York for the UN General Assembly.
Main Story
Construction Error Disrupts Air Traffic
A construction mishap caused significant disruption to air travel across the US on Monday after workers accidentally damaged a telecommunications cable connected to the country’s air traffic control network.
The incident affected airports in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, with ground stops and delays issued as authorities worked to restore normal operations.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later confirmed that the damaged line had been repaired. However, travellers were warned that delays would continue as airlines worked through the backlog.
Newark Among the Worst Affected
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey was particularly affected by the outage.
According to flight-tracking service FlightAware, 267 departing flights from Newark were delayed, while another 257 flights heading to the airport were also affected.
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, together with Philadelphia International Airport, also experienced disruptions.
The timing added to the significance of the incident, with the United Nations General Assembly scheduled to take place in New York. The gathering is expected to bring numerous world leaders and senior officials into the city through its busy airport network.
What Caused the Disruption?
The damaged cable affected the Terminal Radar Approach Control system, which helps air traffic controllers manage aircraft as they approach airports and depart from them.
NJ Transit said its construction workers had accidentally hit the line while carrying out work, with officials pointing to incorrectly positioned markers at the excavation site.
There was initially some confusion over which organisation was responsible for the work.
Duffy had earlier attributed the incident to Amtrak workers, saying the damage resulted in a telecommunications outage that forced the Federal Aviation Administration to restrict flights.
Amtrak later clarified that the work involved a contractor working for NJ Transit, while Verizon, which owns the affected cable, also distanced itself from responsibility for the incident.
Backup Cable Failure Exposed
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the severed line was actually part of a backup network.
The problem only became apparent when the primary circuit subsequently failed, revealing that the backup connection was unavailable.
Officials moved to repair the damaged infrastructure as airlines and passengers dealt with the resulting delays.
Passengers Left Stranded
The disruption caused frustration for travellers, with some flights being diverted to other cities.
Douglas Tewnion, who was travelling from Edinburgh to New York, said his aircraft was diverted to Boston.
After the plane landed, passengers remained on the aircraft for an extended period while waiting for information about their onward journey.
Despite the uncertainty, Tewnion said passengers remained relatively calm, although the unexpected wait added several hours to an already lengthy journey.
The incident highlights how a single damaged piece of infrastructure can quickly affect thousands of travellers across a major aviation network.
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