The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport starting around 10 a.m. Eastern Time on September 21, 2026, halting arrivals and departures amidst an equipment outage. The Newark ground stop was extended multiple times until at least 4:45 p.m. The FAA also imposed a ground stop at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 12:38 p.m., transitioning it to a ground delay now expected to last until 10:59 p.m. LaGuardia Airport followed with a ground stop set at 12:43 p.m., currently a delay lasting until 9:59 p.m. The disruptions also affected Philadelphia International and Teterboro
airports.
Cause of Equipment Failure
The FAA attributed the extensive ground stops to an equipment outage linked to the Philadelphia TRACON air traffic control facility, which manages radar and radio communications for approach and departure at Newark and the surrounding airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that an Amtrak crew accidentally severed a fiber-optic line in New Jersey, between New Brunswick and Newark. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford confirmed that the primary circuit at Philadelphia TRACON failed, and its backup circuit also suffered a break due to this fiber cut.
Repair Timelines and Efforts
Officials estimate that repairing the damaged fiber line will require approximately 13 hours. A new
circuit is currently being installed to restore full service at the control center. Bedford characterized the fiber break as “massive,” emphasizing the scale of the outage. Until repairs are completed, the affected airports will continue to experience flight disruptions.
Impact on Flights and Travelers
Flights inbound to Newark, JFK, LaGuardia, Philadelphia International, and Teterboro airports have been delayed or halted due to the ground stops issued by the FAA. Many aircraft already in flight when the stops were imposed were diverted to alternative airports; Boston’s Logan Airport has reported receiving a significant number of these diverted flights. The disruption encompasses flights originating from more than
a dozen regions across the United States and Canada, including Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Toronto, and Montreal.
Passengers affected by the disruptions have been advised to consult with their airline providers for updated flight information. Newark Airport communicated via social media urging travelers to confirm the status of arrivals and departures with their carriers.
Official Statements
An FAA spokesperson said, “The FAA is pausing flights into Philadelphia International, Teterboro and Newark Liberty International airports due to issues with some frequencies at Philadelphia TRACON.” The spokesperson also directed travelers to www.fly.faa.gov for real-time airport updates. Bryan Bedford noted, “That fiber break is
probably 13 hours to repair. It’s massive, I’m told.” A spokesperson for Boston’s Logan Airport confirmed the facility is “getting a lot of diversions from impacted airports,” reinforcing the regional ripple effect of the outage.
