The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the completion of a key workstream for operations at Newark Liberty Airport (EWR).
The workstream, which was delivered on schedule, forms part of the FAA’s efforts to improve reliability of operations at the airport.
The workstream involved the transitioning of the communications network between New York and the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) to a new fibre-optic system, enhancing the overall resiliency of the network with connections across two separate communications paths and ensuring operation in the event of path disruption.
Testing of the network was conducted over the course of the last month following the laying of the fibre itself in June.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, said:This marks a critical milestone in our unprecedented effort to make flying safer and more efficient. The last administration ignored government watchdog reports and did nothing to address the glaring issues at Newark – we vowed to fix it.
What we’ve already accomplished at Newark demonstrates that we are ready to deliver the all-new air traffic control system that the American people deserve.
Workstreams to improve reliability at Newark Liberty Airport were first announced in May 2025, with other initiatives related to the workspace including the improvement of resiliency by establishing a new automation system hub (STARS) at the Philadelphia TRACON to aid controllers in the use of radar from a local feed (instead of New York), increased controller staffing and the deployment of a temporary satellite system to the TRACON.
