How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

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1. 2 Sep 21 2:00 PM

   Over 600 flights canceled at Newark; repairs underway

   By 6 p.m., Newark had canceled more than 600 flights—over half the day's schedule—making it the airport with the most cancellations globally. Nearly 100 planes from Europe diverted to other U.S. airports. Verizon technicians were dispatched to repair the severed fiber line.

   1. 1 outlet Verizon Fiber Cut Disrupts Air Traffic Data and Forces Hundreds of Flight Delays

      first by Yahoo Finance, 4d ago

2. 1 Sep 21 12:00 PM

   FAA Administrator Bedford describes aging infrastructure and backup system failure

   FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told CNN affiliate WUSA that the circuit that failed had been slated for replacement, and that officials discovered a break in the backup fiber when the system switched to backup mode. He described the FAA's plan to replace 50 years of outdated data architecture.

   “We're pulling copper up and putting fiber down, but it's the same data architecture that we've had for 50 years…”

3. backgroundSep 21

   Verizon states contractors responsible for cut; properly marked cables — In a statement to CNN, Verizon said construction contractors working in the area dug up and cut its cable, and that the contractors were responsible for calling for correct markings and performing the actual work. Verizon stated its cables were properly placed.

4. backgroundSep 21

   Transportation Secretary Duffy announces repairs completed; renews infrastructure modernization push — Sean Duffy announced that repairs had been completed and operations resumed. He used the incident to call for modernizing the nation's aging air traffic control infrastructure and said the FAA intends to replace the 50-year-old data architecture with a new modern federal enterprise network system.

5. backgroundSep 21

   Philadelphia TRACON failures trigger ground stops at five major airports — With both the main circuit and backup line disabled, the Philadelphia TRACON facility lost radar approach control and air traffic control operations. Ground stops were issued at Newark Liberty International, Teterboro, Philadelphia International, LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports.

6. backgroundSep 21

   Construction crew cuts Verizon fiber cable near New Jersey rail project — A construction crew working about 10 feet away from utility line markings accidentally severed a Verizon fiber-optic cable near a rail project between New Brunswick and North Brunswick. The cut knocked out both the primary circuit and its backup system serving the Philadelphia TRACON facility.