On September 21, 2026, hundreds of flights were delayed across major US airports including Newark Liberty International, John F Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Philadelphia International after construction workers accidentally cut a cable critical to air traffic control systems. The damage forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose ground stops and delays affecting airports in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
Newark and New York Airports Most Severely Impacted
Newark Liberty International Airport experienced the highest disruption, with FlightAware reporting 267 departing flights delayed and 257 arrivals delayed. JFK and LaGuardia airports in New York City, along with Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania, also faced delays. Operations
resumed Monday evening at LaGuardia and other affected airports following repairs.
Cause of Disruption Linked to Construction Workers and Cable Ownership
The cable cut disrupted the Terminal Radar Approach Control system that assists planes during takeoff and landing. The severed cable was part of a backup telecom network, whose failure was only detected after the primary circuit went down. NJ Transit construction workers were identified as having accidentally severed the cable due to incorrectly placed digging site markers. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the cut caused a telecommunications outage that forced the FAA to ground flights. Amtrak stated the incident involved an NJ Transit contractor, while Verizon, the cable
owner, denied responsibility for the cut.
Passenger Delays and Flight Diversions Reported
Passenger Douglas Tewnion, whose flight originated in Edinburgh, reported being diverted to Boston instead of New York and remaining on the tarmac there for over two hours without information. He described the situation as “sitting on the same plane, on the tarmac at Boston with no information,” adding that the delay extended his already lengthy journey. Such disruptions caused widespread delays and ground stops across the major east coast airports on that day.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that repairs had been completed and that airports would return to normal operations, though residual
delays were expected. FAA head Bryan Bedford highlighted that the severed cable was a backup system discovered only after the main circuit failed. NJ Transit acknowledged its workers’ role in severing the line, while Amtrak and Verizon clarified their respective responsibilities regarding the incident.
The disruption occurred the day before the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, an event drawing world leaders including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who managed to depart before delays began. This timing intensified the impact on the New York City airspace.
