A temporary shutdown at Newark Liberty International Airport caused significant disruption Monday morning after smoke was detected inside the air traffic control tower.
Incident Overview
The tower was evacuated around 07:30 following reports of a burning smell linked to an elevator. All flights were temporarily halted, with operations resuming roughly an hour later after air traffic control was shifted to an alternative facility.
The disruption affected hundreds of flights, prompting passengers to check with airlines for updates.
Compounding Regional Disruptions
The situation coincided with a separate crisis at LaGuardia Airport, which remained closed after a fatal ground collision between an aircraft and a fire truck the previous night. Some diverted passengers from LaGuardia were rerouted to Newark, amplifying congestion and delays.
Broader Context
The incident adds to a string of recent operational and safety-related events at Newark, including:
- A ground collision earlier this month between two aircraft during pushback and deicing operations.
- A stowaway case in February involving a passenger discovered mid-flight on a transatlantic route.
Takeaway
While the smoke incident was resolved quickly with no reported injuries, it underscores the fragility of airport operations—especially when multiple disruptions occur simultaneously across major hubs in the same region.