The Journal Episode Summary: "An Air Traffic Controller Speaks Out About Newark Airport"

Release Date: May 15, 2025
Hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza
Produced by The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet

1. Introduction to the Newark Airport Crisis

The episode opens with the revelation of a series of critical technical failures at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the busiest airspaces in the world. Annie Minoff and Andrew Tangle describe how, in late April, air traffic controllers experienced a sudden loss of communication and radar capabilities, leaving them unable to see, hear, or talk to approaching and departing aircraft for a frightening 90 seconds (00:19). This issue persisted, culminating in another significant malfunction that led to a 45-minute ground stop, causing widespread flight delays and cancellations (00:43).

Quote:
Annie Minoff (00:05): "Over the last few weeks, a crisis has unfolded just outside New York City at Newark Liberty International Airport, controllers losing communications with packed passenger planes approaching for landing and planes taking off."

2. Spotlight on Air Traffic Controller Jonathan Stewart

Jonathan Stewart, an experienced air traffic controller with 25 years in the field, becomes the central figure providing insider insight into the crisis. Stewart reflects on the immense responsibility of his role, emphasizing that controllers are responsible for more lives in a single shift than doctors or surgeons in their entire careers (05:10).

Quote:
Jonathan Stewart (05:33): "We are responsible for the lives of every single person on that airplane. ... an air traffic controller is responsible for more lives on one shift than a doctor or surgeon in his entire career."

3. Technical Challenges and Staffing Shortages

The conversation delves into the root causes of the ongoing issues at Newark. The FAA's decision to relocate oversight from Long Island to Philadelphia aimed to improve the staffing pipeline by making the position more attractive and affordable (07:05). However, this move introduced a technological dependency on a satellite radar system reliant on a relay from Long Island, which proved unreliable and a source of significant risk (08:35).

Additionally, nationwide staffing shortages exacerbate the problem. The FAA operates with nearly 11,000 fully certified controllers, falling short by about 3,000 from its target. Stewart criticizes the inadequate staffing levels, explaining that controllers often have to manage multiple radar sectors simultaneously, limiting their ability to maintain safety and efficiency (07:38).

Quote:
Jonathan Stewart (07:38): "The staffing is relatively, in my opinion, inadequate... you have to work multiple radar sectors combined. That is going to place limitations on how many aircraft you're going to be able to effectively and safely control."

4. Impact on Air Traffic and Travelers

The technical malfunctions and staffing shortages at Newark have a ripple effect nationwide, leading to widespread delays and cancellations (07:46). Jonathan Stewart shares that these disruptions not only stress the controllers but also significantly inconvenience travelers, undermining trust in air travel safety.

Quote:
Andrew Tangle (07:46): "The delays resulting from New York generally, including this particular facility, ripple throughout the country."

5. FAA's Response and Future Plans

In response to the crisis, the FAA has initiated several measures. These include increasing staffing levels at Newark, adding temporary backup systems to prevent future outages, and planning for new high-bandwidth connections between Philadelphia and New York (16:46). Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to upgrade air traffic control infrastructure nationwide, with the Philadelphia facility overseeing Newark being a priority (16:46).

Quote:
Jonathan Stewart (17:20): "They are taking steps in the right direction to fix this. It is a top priority from everybody that I'm aware of to get this situation taken care of, be it the equipment issues as well as the staffing issues."

6. Personal Toll on Controllers

The episode provides a poignant look into the personal struggles faced by air traffic controllers. Jonathan Stewart discusses the mental and physical toll of the job, including fatigue, stress, and symptoms of acute PTSD stemming from near-miss incidents. Stewart recounts a specific close call on May 4th, where he averted a potential mid-air collision between two aircraft by identifying and rectifying an unexpected error (12:57).

Quote:
Jonathan Stewart (16:15): "The lack of sleep coupled with stress is a killer. ... you do have acute PTSD, and you do have situations where you will have a recurring dream about the incident."

7. Final Insights and Conclusions

Jonathan Stewart emphasizes the human aspect behind air traffic control operations, highlighting the dedication and professionalism of controllers who work tirelessly under immense pressure to ensure safety. The episode concludes with Stewart urging for better resources and support for controllers, advocating for systemic changes to prevent future crises.

Quote:
Andrew Tangle (17:45): "We wanted to humanize one of these air traffic controllers who are right in the middle of this... to help people at least see who the humans are behind the scenes."

Key Takeaways

• Technical Reliance and Failures: Newark Airport's dependency on a satellite radar system has introduced vulnerabilities, leading to recurring outages.

• Staffing Shortages: Nationwide shortages of air traffic controllers strain operations, compromising safety and efficiency.

• Human Impact: Controllers face severe mental and physical stress, with incidents of trauma leave highlighting the need for better support systems.

• FAA's Commitment to Improvement: Ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and staffing aim to restore reliability and safety at Newark and beyond.

• Personal Stories Highlight Systemic Issues: Jonathan Stewart’s experiences underscore the necessity for systemic changes to support frontline air safety professionals.

Conclusion

This episode of The Journal sheds light on the critical challenges facing air traffic control at Newark Airport. Through Jonathan Stewart's candid recounting, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between technological dependence, staffing inadequacies, and the profound personal toll on those ensuring the safety of millions of passengers daily. The conversation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to bolster air traffic control systems and support the invaluable individuals who operate them.