On Monday, September 21, 2026, construction workers accidentally cut a telecommunications cable used by the FAA’s Terminal Radar Approach Control system, disrupting flight operations at major airports in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The disruption led to ground stops and widespread delays at Newark Liberty International Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport. Flight operations partially resumed Monday evening but delays persisted.
Cause and Responsibility for Cable Cut
The cable cut was caused by construction workers employed by NJ Transit, whose markers had been incorrectly placed at the digging site, according to NJ Transit statements. Although US Transportation Secretary
Sean Duffy initially attributed the disruption to Amtrak workers, an Amtrak spokesperson clarified the incident involved a NJ Transit contractor, not Amtrak personnel. Verizon, the telecommunications company owning the cable, denied responsibility. FAA head Bryan Bedford explained the severed cable was part of a backup network, only identified after the primary circuit failed.
Flight Delays, Diversions and Passenger Impact
Newark Liberty International Airport was the most affected facility, with FlightAware reporting 267 departing and 257 arriving flights delayed. JFK and LaGuardia airports in New York City and Philadelphia International Airport also experienced significant disruptions. A passenger flight from Edinburgh to New York was diverted to Boston,
where it remained on the tarmac for two hours. Passenger Douglas Tewnion described the experience as “sitting on the same plane, on the tarmac at Boston with no information.”
Official Statements and Repair Status
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the cable had been repaired and that flight operations at affected airports were returning to normal, although delays were expected to continue. NJ Transit acknowledged their workers had severed the cable due to misplaced markers. Amtrak reaffirmed their non-involvement beyond the NJ Transit subcontractor. FAA’s Bryan Bedford emphasized the cable’s backup role, which prevented more severe disruption after the primary circuit failed.
The incident took
place just one day before the United Nations General Assembly convened in New York City on September 22, 2026, a meeting prompting increased arrivals of international dignitaries into the New York metropolitan airport network.
