NEWARK – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted a ground stop that was previously implemented at Newark Liberty International Airport earlier today.

Background: Equipment Shortage Causes Disruptions

The recent ground stop was initiated due to an outage affecting air traffic control equipment on May 11. This incident follows a radar outage that lasted 90 seconds on May 9, as well as a similar disruption on April 28.

The FAA stated, “The FAA briefly slowed aircraft in and out of the airport while we ensured redundancies were working as designed.”

As of 11 a.m., approximately 67 flights were delayed and over 70 flights had been canceled at Newark airport, as reported by the flight tracking website FlightAware.

Atlanta Ground Stop Also Addressed

On the same day, the FAA issued a separate ground stop for all flights inbound to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This was due to an unrelated issue concerning runway equipment, as indicated on the FAA website.

Senator Schumer Addresses Ongoing Issues

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer held a press conference outlining the ongoing challenges faced by Newark airport. He emphasized the broader implications of delays and cancellations, calling for immediate action.

“We need answers, not reassurances. We need the FAA to lead.”

Schumer noted that the operational issues at Newark have a cascading effect on flights nationwide, stressing the urgency for the FAA to prioritize Newark. He specifically appealed to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for a timetable and budget for proposed improvements at the airport.

Just days prior, Duffy introduced a plan aimed at improving the nation’s air traffic control system, alongside a package designed to enhance the air traffic controller workforce.