Federal officials marked a major milestone in efforts to improve operations at Newark Liberty International Airport.

As NJBIZ has reported, a slew of issues hit EWR this spring, colliding at once to create a perfect storm of disruptions, of sorts, for travelers. Those hurdles included air traffic controller staffing challenges, equipment and issues/blackouts, as well as the rehabilitation project of a key runway. In early June, that runway opened ahead of schedule following expediting of that project. Additionally, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a series of initiatives in the spring aimed at improving reliability at EWR in the short-term and long-term.

On July 3, Duffy announced that the Federal Aviation Administration had completed a key workstream – on schedule – at EWR.

Key project details:

• Successfully transitioned to a brand-new fiber optic communications network between New York and the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which directs aircraft into and out of Newark
• Officials say the upgrade significantly enhances resiliency with new fiber optic connections on two separate communications paths, ensuring equipment will continue to operate if one path is disrupted
• Fiber was successfully laid in June; network testing took place over the last month

“This marks a critical milestone in our unprecedented effort to make flying safer and more efficient,” said Duffy in a press release last week. “The last administration ignored government watchdog reports and did nothing to address the glaring issues at Newark – we vowed to fix it.”

“The work we’ve accomplished will help reduce delays and cancellations,” said acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. “We completed this upgrade as planned and we’re diligently working on additional initiatives to further strengthen the Newark communications network.”

The work we’ve accomplished will help reduce delays and cancellations.
– Chris Rocheleau, acting FAA administrator

The FAA’s other efforts related to EWR airspace include:

• Establishing a STARS hub at the Philadelphia TRACON. The automation system displays real-time radar data and more, so controllers can use radar and other data from a local feed, rather than from New York. The agency aims to complete this work by the end of the summer
• Increasing controller staffing
• Deploying a temporary satellite system to the Philadelphia TRACON to provide redundancy while it was building out the upgraded network
• Limiting the arrival and departure rate to 34 each per hour through Oct. 25

Duffy added, “What we’ve already accomplished at Newark demonstrates that we are ready to deliver the all-new air traffic controller system that the American people deserve.”