Hello and welcome to today’s update. Newark Liberty International Airport has been hit by two weeks of radar and radio outages, and air-traffic control staffing shortages are adding to the chaos. Flights have been delayed and canceled, and behind the scenes, controllers are under immense pressure. One veteran controller told The Wall Street Journal, “You play God—you decide which plane lands and which one has to circle.” The stress has led several controllers to take what’s called trauma leave. As one put it, “I couldn’t stop thinking about the planes, the passengers, what could go wrong.” The Federal Aviation Administration says it’s working to restore systems and bring in more staff, but these events highlight the intense mental toll on those guiding our skies. That’s our report for today—thanks for listening.
Link to Article