Newark resumes operations after tower evacuation adds to New York airport disruption

Newark Liberty International Airport halted operations for about an hour on Monday morning after a tower evacuation, disrupting traffic at one of New York’s key aviation hubs. The stoppage came hours after an accident at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday forced a suspension of services there, affecting two of the city’s three major airports.

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Arrivals and departures at Newark were paused after air traffic controllers evacuated the tower at around 7:30 am following a burning smell from an elevator, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. The agency added that the ground stop was lifted about an hour later.


"Arrivals and departures are temporarily paused at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey after air traffic controllers evacuated the tower because of a burning smell coming from an elevator," the FAA said.

The disruption added to delays already being faced by passengers, with long lines reported in recent weeks due to the partial government shutdown. With LaGuardia operations suspended overnight, traffic increased at the region’s other airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Newark is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling hundreds of departures and arrivals each day. Along with John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, it forms the three main airports serving the New York metropolitan area, which together manage one of the highest volumes of air traffic in the world.

The disruption at Newark followed an earlier incident at LaGuardia Airport, where an Air Canada Express aircraft collided with a fire truck late Sunday. The crash resulted in the deaths of both pilots and left several dozen passengers injured.

With LaGuardia operations affected, some flights had already been redirected to Newark before the tower evacuation forced a broader shutdown.