Hundreds of flights were delayed across several major US airports after a cable used by air traffic controllers was accidentally damaged during construction. The disruption affected airports in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts on Monday afternoon. Some flights were temporarily grounded, while others faced significant delays.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later said the damaged cable had been repaired. He said airports could return to normal operations. However, passengers were warned that delays would continue for some time.
The incident happened just before the United Nations General Assembly began in New York. Many world leaders are expected to travel to the city for the event. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham was among those travelling. He had already boarded his flight before the disruption and reached New York as planned.
The damaged line affected the Terminal Radar Approach Control system. The system helps air traffic controllers safely manage aircraft as they take off and land.
NJ Transit said one of its construction contractors accidentally cut the cable. The agency said the markers showing where the line was located had been incorrectly placed.
Earlier, Duffy said the construction work involved Amtrak workers. Amtrak later said the incident involved a contractor working for NJ Transit. Verizon, which owns the cable, also said it was not responsible for the damage. The cable was being used as a backup connection. According to FAA chief Bryan Bedford, the problem was discovered only after the main network connection stopped working.
The hardest hit was Newark Liberty International Airport. FlightAware reported 267 departing flights were delayed, while another 257 arriving flights were affected. New York’s JFK and LaGuardia airports were also impacted. Philadelphia International Airport experienced delays as well.
Passengers faced long waits. Douglas Tewnion was travelling from Edinburgh to New York when his flight was diverted to Boston. He said passengers remained on the aircraft on the runway for about two hours without clear information.
