Radio issues force Newark flights to halt, adding to string of airport problems

Source: ABC News

August 28, 2025, 3:08 PM


A temporary ground stop halted incoming flights at Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday due to air traffic control communication issues, marking the latest in a series of disruptions at the busy New Jersey airport.

Air traffic controllers briefly lost their radio frequencies during the ground stop, which lasted from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, according to Federal Aviation Administration bulletins. Delays averaged more than two hours.

The FAA responded by further reducing Newark's flight capacity. The agency cut incoming flights to 28 per hour until at least Friday, a significant decrease from the airport's normal capacity of 40-42 flights per hour, which had already been lowered to 34 in recent weeks.

"The FAA is pausing some flights into Newark Liberty International Airport due to equipment issues. We are investigating the cause," the agency said in a statement. Controllers were instructed to space arriving aircraft about 20 miles apart on approach to Newark, a controller on duty told ABC News.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/radio-issues-force-newark-flights-halt-adding-string/story?id=125067434