Newark Liberty International Airport experienced its fourth air traffic control radio outage since late April, sparking serious concerns among aviation authorities and travelers alike. The latest disruption occurred on May 20, 2025, during the early morning hours, briefly halting all inbound and outbound traffic for nearly 40 minutes.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the outage was caused by a sudden communication failure between the airport’s control tower and aircraft in the vicinity. Although the issue was resolved without any reported injuries or collisions, the recurrence of such events has raised questions about the reliability of the airport’s communication infrastructure.
An FAA spokesperson confirmed that the agency has launched a full investigation into the repeated malfunctions. “We are treating this as a priority issue,” the spokesperson said. “While there is no immediate evidence of foul play or a cyberattack, all possibilities remain on the table.” Aviation analysts have also noted that multiple outages within such a short period are highly unusual and may indicate deeper systemic problems.
Airline pilots and air traffic controllers have expressed frustration over the disruptions, with some union representatives calling for an urgent review of technical systems and backup protocols at one of the country’s busiest airports. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) issued a statement urging the FAA to act swiftly to ensure safety and restore confidence in Newark’s control operations.
Passenger delays were relatively limited during the latest outage, thanks to early morning scheduling. However, travelers have reported growing anxiety over repeated technical glitches at major airports, especially amid heightened travel activity this spring.
Newark, a key hub in the New York City metro area, handles more than 45 million passengers annually. The airport’s aging infrastructure has long been the subject of criticism, and the recent spate of control tower issues has only intensified calls for modernization and investment.
As of now, FAA officials have not provided a timeline for their investigation or any planned corrective actions. Travelers and airlines are watching closely for updates, hoping the next takeoff won’t come with more uncertainty.
