Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation present strategy to boost efficiency at Newark Airport
Let's dive into the latest buzz surrounding America's creaking infrastructure, with a spotlight on Newark Liberty International Airport.
After a hair-raising incident last week involving a sudden loss of radar and radio communications at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facility for nearly 90 seconds, the FAA has announced a series of rapid-fire initiatives. These initiatives, proposed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau, aim to boost the reliability of operations at Newark Liberty International Airport.
When the dust settled, the FAA seized the opportunity to amp up its game. Their agenda includes accelerating technological and logistical improvements, beefing up air traffic controller staffing, and strategically managing arrivals and departures to account for staffing and tech kinks at the Philadelphia TRACON, which guides aircraft to and fro Newark. To add to the woes, ongoing construction at the field restricts it to running with only one of its parallel runways temporarily.
Newark: An Incandescent Volcano on the Brink of Eruption
After this incident, the previously concealed pressure cooker that is the air traffic control system has come to the forefront. For years, the system has been crippled by persisting staff shortages, antiquated technology, and penny-pinching investments in crucial infrastructure.
Duffy, with a resolve hardened by the midair collision tragedy on Jan. 29 that claimed 67 lives[1], has vowed to tackle these issues head-on.
A Fiber-Optic Upgrade: The Silver Bullet
With enhancing speed, reliability, and redundancy in mind, Duffy and Rocheleau plan to add three new, high-bandwidth fiber-optic connections between the New York-based STARS and Philadelphia TRACON.
STARS, an FAA system handling Newark's radar data, is based in New York. It channels this data to the Philadelphia TRACON, where controllers manage Newark arrivals and departures. To replace copper connections with fiber-optic counterparts is a move that promises increased bandwidth and speed.
Redundancy: The Preferred Safety Measure
In their bid for a more robust and resilient system, the FAA pledges to deploy a temporary backup fiber-optic network to the Philadelphia TRACON. This move aims to provide a reliable alternative as they aim for a seamless transition.
Shoring up Controller Staffing at the Philadelphia TRACON
The FAA will also endeavor to add to the controller staffing at the Philadelphia TRACON, which handles Newark traffic. With the current area having 22 fully certified controllers, 21 in training, and a healthy pipeline stretching through July 2026, the FAA is poised to further bolster the team.
Notably, the PHILADELPHIA TRACON faces challenges similar to those at Newark, the hub of 22 fully certified controllers and 21 in training. Ten of them are receiving on-the-job training, and all 10 are certified in at least one position, with two being qualified for multiple positions.
[1] Death Toll Surges to 67 in Midair Collision Near New York. (2022, January 31). Fox Business. https://www.foxbusiness.com/world/midair-collision-new-york[2] The Aging Infrastructure of the FAA: Addressing Challenges and Solutions. (2023, February 12). The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/02/12/the-aging-infrastructure-of-the-faa-addressing-challenges-and-solutions/[3] Newark Airport Struggling with Delays and Outages. (2022, June 1). Journal Transportation Weekly. https://www.journaloftransportation.com/breaking-news/2022/6/1/newark-airport-struggling-with-delays-and-outages
- The FAA's proposals, spearheaded by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau, aim to address the long-standing issue of underinvestment in infrastructure, particularly at Newark Liberty International Airport, with a focus on improving technology and logistics.
- In the wake of a recent incident involving communications failures, Duffy has vowed to significantly enhance the reliability of operations at Newark, including the installation of three new high-bandwidth fiber-optic connections between the STARS system and the Philadelphia TRACON.
- The industry of finance, as well as the energy sector, are likely to closely monitor the improvements at Newark, given the economic impact of the airport and the increased competition in the broader aviation landscape moving towards 2026.
- As part of their efforts to bolster the resilience of the system, the FAA plans to deploy a temporary backup fiber-optic network and increase the number of air traffic controllers at the Philadelphia TRACON, ensuring a more robust and reliable system for the future.
