Key Takeaways
• Newark Liberty Airport had a second radar outage on May 9, 2025, lasting about 90 seconds.
• Outdated copper wiring caused both outages, prompting the FAA to start installing fiber optic lines.
• Repeated outages risk delays, missed immigration appointments, and pose safety concerns for international travelers.
Another Radar Outage at Newark Liberty International Airport Raises Safety and Immigration Concerns
Early in the morning on Friday, May 9, 2025, Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸 once again faced a radar outage. At about 3:55 a.m. Eastern Time, radar screens suddenly went dark for around 90 seconds, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration. This incident marks the second radar outage at the airport in just two weeks. While the airport was quiet with only a few flights coming and going at that hour, the outage highlights deeper problems inside the United States 🇺🇸 air traffic control system—problems that can affect flights, safety, and even the travel plans of immigrants and international travelers.
Recent Outages: What Happened?
The first radar failure at Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸 happened on April 28, lasting about 60 to 90 seconds. During both the April and May incidents, air traffic controllers lost the ability to “see” planes on their radar screens. On May 9, controllers could be heard communicating with a FedEx cargo plane, telling pilots that their radar screens had gone completely blank. The controllers even told the pilots to ask FedEx to help push for real solutions at Newark. At the same time, a private jet had to hold an altitude of 3,000 feet or higher. That was because controllers could not be sure they would keep radio and radar contact if the plane descended for landing.
Immediate Impact on Travelers
Luckily, both outages happened during times with very little air traffic. Still, the worries about air safety remain. After the May 9 outage, the Federal Aviation Administration also put a stop to all flights on the ground at Newark—called a “ground stop”—due to construction. This pause was set to last until 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time. For passengers, this meant even more waiting, confusion, and possible missed connections. For immigrants, international students, and those waiting for loved ones coming from abroad, such flight delays can disrupt long-planned travels. This can make reuniting with family or arriving on time for important appointments, such as visa interviews or green card processes, much harder.
The April 28 radar outage had more severe effects. Hundreds of incoming and outgoing flights were canceled or delayed, leaving thousands of travelers stranded or stuck in long lines. Several air traffic controllers felt so shaken by the loss of radar that they needed to take medical leave. The experience was described as traumatic, and policy requires that controllers get at least 45 days off and a medical check before they can return to work. This can put even more stress on a system that is already short on skilled workers, especially at busy airports like Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸.
Why Are These Outages Happening?
The problem stems from outdated technology. The radar signals that keep Newark Liberty International Airport’s 🇺🇸 airspace safe actually come from an FAA facility in Westbury, New York 🇺🇸. In the April 28 incident, a failure in the copper wiring that transmits these signals was blamed for the blackout. Copper wires are old-fashioned compared to modern fiber optic lines, which are much faster and more reliable. The facility that directs air traffic in Newark’s skies isn’t even in New Jersey—it operates out of Philadelphia 🇺🇸, and that control center has been low on staff for some time.
Since the first outage, the Federal Aviation Administration has promised to start installing new fiber optic lines between its Philadelphia and New York facilities. The agency admits that many connections still depend on old copper wires, which can be unreliable and break down easily. The move to fiber optics is meant to improve safety and prevent such failures from happening again.
A Glance at the Numbers
Here’s what happened during the April 28 outage at Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸:
– Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed.
– Several air traffic controllers went on medical leave, reporting trauma from the event.
– The controllers entitled to at least 45 days off before returning to work for recovery.
Even though the May 9 radar outage did not result in immediate injuries or serious accidents because it happened during a slow air traffic period, the situation could have been much more dangerous if it took place during peak hours.
Wider System Problems
These radar outages do not just affect one airport. They are a warning sign for the entire United States 🇺🇸 air traffic system. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees a huge network, moving millions of passengers every day. When one airport faces repeated technical failures, it can have ripple effects on other airports, connecting flights, and the broader air travel system.
People coming to the United States 🇺🇸 for work, school, or family reunions rely on safe and predictable flights. A major airport like Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸 is a key gateway for many immigrants, students, and visiting professionals. Delays or ground stops can mean missed work visas, delayed green card interviews, or failure to meet deadlines for student program check-ins. If flight disruptions become common, immigrants may feel less confident traveling, and U.S. employers may worry about getting people where they are needed on time.
Federal Aviation Administration’s Response
In answer to these problems, the Federal Aviation Administration has not only started to replace old copper wires but has also admitted that much of the national air traffic control system is outdated. As reported by VisaVerge.com, several important upgrades are now in the works to make things safer and more dependable for everyone.
The federal government’s plan includes:
– Replacing all old telephone and radar signals with new fiber optic, wireless, and satellite technology.
– Bringing in modern computer hardware and better software for speed and accuracy.
– Getting rid of 618 old radar units and putting in new ones.
– Building six new, state-of-the-art air traffic control centers and replacing aging tower buildings at airports.
Currently, it is shocking to learn that air traffic controllers at some facilities still use floppy disks—storage media that most people stopped using decades ago. The FAA sometimes even needs to buy replacement parts from eBay, which shows just how badly the system needs an upgrade. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy has said he hopes the new system will be up and running within three to four years. However, he would not give a more detailed cost estimate, just saying it will be in the “billions.”
Bigger Picture: Safety and Technology
These incidents at Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸 come at a time of renewed concern about air safety in the United States 🇺🇸. Just a few months ago, in January 2025, a midair crash over the Potomac River caused the loss of 67 lives. While the official investigation has not yet blamed problems in the air traffic control system for that tragedy, the crash has added pressure for swift improvements.
How Does This Affect Immigrants and International Travelers?
For many, Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸 is the first stop on their journey to the United States 🇺🇸. This includes:
– Immigrants moving for family, work, or safety reasons.
– Students with F-1 or J-1 visas arriving for school.
– Workers on H-1B or L-1 visas joining new employers.
– Tourists coming with B-2 visitor visas or travelers for business meetings.
– Families waiting at arrival halls hoping to see loved ones after long separations.
Travel interruptions due to radar outages can cause:
– People missing immigration appointments or visa interviews.
– Students being late for university move-in deadlines or program orientation.
– Family members waiting hours (or extra days) at the airport.
– Workers missing their first day on the job, which may be a requirement for some work visas.
Repeated ground stops and delayed flights can also make United States 🇺🇸 airports less attractive to international airlines and travelers who might choose other countries’ entry points if problems persist. For the United States 🇺🇸 to stay an important destination for the world’s skilled workers, students, and families, it needs airports that are safe and reliable.
What’s Being Done to Help?
The Federal Aviation Administration says it is not just fixing the exact problem at Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸 but is working on a full system upgrade across the country. The agency is rolling out new technology, including:
– Fiber optic signals, which send information faster and more reliably than copper.
– Wireless and satellite systems that work even if a line is damaged.
– New software that will be easier for controllers to use and faster at showing where planes are flying.
These improvements should protect against both accidents and delays from equipment going down during bad weather, heavy traffic, or even cyber-attacks. For those relying on timely arrivals—immigrants, business people, and families—these upgrades will hopefully make journeys less stressful and more predictable.
Differing Views and Ongoing Concerns
Some controllers feel that the stress faced during the outages has not gotten enough attention. The need for medical leave and time away shows how hard the job is during a crisis. Workers point out that old equipment adds pressure to an already tough job. On the other side, government officials stress that both outages were handled safely, with no injuries and quick plans in case of emergencies.
However, questions remain about why these problems were not solved earlier and whether enough investments will be made to stop similar failures at other airports. Travelers, especially immigrants and international students, will be looking for signs that the system is truly improving.
What Should Travelers Know Now?
If you are flying into or out of Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸 in the next few months, or if you are planning international travel to the United States 🇺🇸 for study, work, or family reasons, keep these points in mind:
- Check flight status before heading to the airport, especially if you have connections at Newark.
- Prepare for possible schedule changes, and allow for extra travel time if you have time-sensitive immigration appointments.
- Follow guidance from airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration, and airport staff about possible ground stops or delays.
- For the most current information, visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s official aviation updates page.
For those new to the country, knowing that support is available—both from airport staff and airline agents—can help reduce stress if delays or ground stops occur.
Key Takeaways
- Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸 has faced two radar outages in just two weeks, both caused by old technology, mostly outdated copper wiring.
- Both the airport and the country as a whole are taking steps to modernize air traffic controls, using new fiber optic, wireless, and satellite systems.
- Travelers, especially immigrants and international visitors, need to be aware of possible delays but can expect improvements in safety and reliability over the next few years.
- A broader system overhaul, including new air traffic control centers and updated towers, is underway, but it may take three to four years to fully complete.
As plans for system upgrades move forward, those flying to and from Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸, including many of the world’s immigrants, will watch closely—hoping for a future where every journey begins and ends safely, no matter where it starts.
Learn Today
Radar Outage → A temporary loss of radar function, making controllers unable to track aircraft positions, increasing risks of delays and errors.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) → U.S. government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation, including air traffic control and safety.
Fiber Optic Lines → Modern cables transmitting data using light signals, providing faster and more reliable communication than old copper wiring.
Ground Stop → A temporary halt to aircraft departures or arrivals at an airport, used for safety or operational reasons, often during technical issues.
Air Traffic Controller → A professional responsible for directing aircraft on the ground and in the air, ensuring safe distances and efficient traffic flow.
This Article in a Nutshell
Another radar outage at Newark Liberty Airport on May 9, 2025, highlights serious safety and immigration concerns. These repeated outages, blamed on outdated copper wiring, disrupt flights and threaten timely arrivals for immigrants and international students. The FAA’s modernization plan aims to improve safety by installing new fiber optic technology.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• FAA Report Dismissed Newark Data Outage ‘Risk’
• FAA Administrator Sidelined as Duffy Demands Air Control Fix
• Trump Administration Unveils Air Traffic Control Shakeup
• Clear-Air Turbulence to Rise as Climate Change Alters Flight Conditions
• Why the US Air Traffic System Still Relies on Paper Strips and Floppy Disks
