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Air traffic controllers reported on social media that radar screens in Philadelphia covering Newark Airport "went blank for five minutes" on Labor Day. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) subsequently ordered a ground stop at Newark and reduced incoming traffic. Some international flights were diverted, while others were delayed at departure airports nationwide. As of late Monday, FlightAware indicated departure delays of up to 89 minutes and arrival delays of 61 minutes. A ground stop was also implemented at Teterboro.
Commenters on the web forum Point Sixty Five suggested the issue stemmed from data lines feeding information to Philadelphia controllers rather than radar problems. They claimed dozens of flights were in the airport's vicinity when the screens went blank. The FAA confirmed service disruptions but did not provide specific details about the cause. "The FAA is slowing flights into Newark Liberty International Airport this afternoon due to a radar issue. For updates, please monitor fly.faa.gov," stated the FAA.
