Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy held an impromptu press conference Monday afternoon to address recurrent air traffic control issues at Newark Liberty International Airport and broader technology issues throughout the FAA.
Duffy started by outlining how Newark’s system got to this point, what’s currently happening at that airport, which has had a cluster of incidents in which ATCs were unable to see aircraft on radar screens, and what his department is doing to ensure safety in both the short and long term.
What Led to Newark’s ATC Issues?
Duffy explained:
In July of 2024, the Biden/Buttigieg FAA moved control of the New York/Newark airspace from New York, also known as N90, to Philadelphia Tower, or the Philadelphia TRACON [Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility].
As part of the move, the STARS [Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System] system that…
