Trauma-induced leave by air traffic controllers behind major Newark Airport delays

A week of severe delays and cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport has been traced to a traumatic incident in which air traffic controllers lost radar and radio contact with planes under their control. The resulting psychological stress prompted several FAA employees to take federally sanctioned trauma leave, deepening an already critical staffing shortage.

According to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the April 28 incident saw a complete failure of radar and communication links between aircraft and controllers at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which has overseen Newark arrivals since the FAA shifted responsibility from Long Island last year. Five FAA employees have since taken 45 days of leave under the Federal Employees Compensation Act, citing trauma.

The technical collapse—described by insiders as stemming from “jerry-rigged” equipment—left planes temporarily flying without FAA oversight. A source familiar with the matter said, “The controllers didn’t just walk off the job—they were traumatised.”

Delays from the incident have stretched into a second week, with over 1,100 flights delayed or cancelled over the weekend. The FAA briefly issued a ground stop Monday due to weather, though staffing issues remain the primary source of disruption.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said 20% of air traffic controllers had left their posts last week, blaming FAA understaffing and obsolete systems. However, the controllers’ union rejected his framing, clarifying that absences were legally protected responses to a traumatic work event.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the outdated system’s role and promised a multi-year plan to overhaul air traffic control technology. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has demanded an Inspector General probe into FAA mismanagement, calling the situation at Newark “a harbinger” of broader national failures.