Hundreds of flights canceled across major US airports after cable cut by construction workers - Check list of airports affected

Hundreds of flights were canceled and thousands more disrupted across the US Northeast on Monday after a major communications failure brought air traffic at some of America’s busiest airports to a standstill. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricted incoming flights after a primary communications circuit at its Philadelphia air traffic control facility failed. The problem became more serious when officials discovered that a backup fiber-optic line had been accidentally severed during construction work in New Jersey. The disruption affected travelers at major airports serving New York, Philadelphia and Boston and created ripple effects across the country. Operations gradually resumed after repairs, but passengers continued to face delays and cancellations as airlines worked through the backlog.

WHICH US AIRPORTS WERE AFFECTED?

According to multiple media reports, the disruption hit John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Teterboro Airport (TEB). Washington Reagan National also faced a temporary ground stop linked to traffic volume.

WHAT CAUSED THE MASSIVE FLIGHT DISRUPTION?

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said a primary circuit at Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control failed. When officials attempted to switch to the backup connection, they discovered the damaged fiber line. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said construction work had accidentally cut the line. The incident has renewed scrutiny of US air traffic infrastructure. Reuters reported that Congress approved $12.5 billion last year to begin upgrading the aging system, while Duffy has called for another $17.5 billion.

WHAT TRAVELERS SHOULD KNOW AFTER THE OUTAGE

Although damaged communications lines were repaired and normal operations began returning across the Northeast, the effects did not disappear immediately. More than 600 flights into and out of Newark were canceled, while Philadelphia recorded more than 200 cancellations, according to AP. Reuters reported that around 7,000 flights were delayed or canceled during the disruption, citing FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, demonstrating how quickly a failure at a critical air traffic facility can spread through the wider aviation network.

The timing was particularly challenging because world leaders were arriving in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Passengers traveling through JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia and Boston were advised to monitor their flight status as airlines worked through delays caused by displaced aircraft and crews.