Airports in the Northeast are recovering from an equipment outage that caused over 1,000 flight cancellations and more than 6,000 delays on Monday. The problem began when a construction crew accidentally cut a crucial Verizon fiber-optic cable near New Brunswick, impacting backup communications intended to support a facility in Philadelphia.
Although repairs have been completed, Newark Liberty International Airport is still experiencing delays as airlines work to normalize operations. During the outage, major airports enforced ground stops, resulting in flight turnarounds and significant passenger inconveniences, including long wait times and difficulties in rebooking.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that the telecommunications issue is resolved but acknowledged the ongoing challenges for travelers. Passengers expressed frustration, highlighting a lack of communication and support from airline staff.
The faulty circuit in Philadelphia is set to be replaced, as NJ Transit investigates the construction crew’s responsibility for the cable damage. Verizon, however, contests this claim, placing the blame on NJ Transit.
