Verizon Cable Cut Disrupts Northeast Flights After Backup Fails

A Verizon fiber-optic cable cut in New Jersey disrupted air traffic control on Monday, September 21, after the FAA’s primary communications circuit failed. More than 5,600 flights were delayed or canceled nationwide, according to FlightAware figures reported by ABC News.

The outage hit Philadelphia’s Terminal Radar Approach Control facility, which manages traffic for airports including Newark and Philadelphia. When the primary circuit failed, controllers tried to switch to a backup line and found that cable had also been severed.

New Jersey Transit said a construction crew struck the line while working near a rail corridor between New Brunswick and North Brunswick. Verizon said the cable ran alongside an Amtrak rail line; the precise responsibility for the cut was disputed.

Newark was among the hardest-hit airports. More than 600 flights there were canceled, and no commercial flights landed for much of the day. Philadelphia also saw more than 200 cancellations, while disruptions spread to LaGuardia and JFK.

The FAA imposed flight restrictions at several Northeast airports while controllers lacked radar or communications. More than 100 flights diverted, and repairs allowed operations to resume Monday evening, though delays continued.

The effects carried into Tuesday. Nearly 100 more flights had been canceled by midday as aircraft and crews remained out of position after the previous day’s disruption, AP reported.

For Verizon, the incident links its network to a high-profile public safety disruption, but the reports reviewed did not establish a direct financial impact on the company. Verizon said it sent technicians to restore the damaged line.

The outage also renewed scrutiny of the FAA’s aging communications infrastructure. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the system overhaul has received $12.5 billion, and he is seeking another $20 billion from Congress.