Newark Airport Tech Problems Should Be Fixed by October

Newark airport delays have been driving travelers crazy for months, but the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says relief is coming. Chris Rocheleau, the acting FAA chief, told Congress this week he's "confident" the technology mess at Newark Liberty International Airport will be sorted out by October.

FAA technology problems at Newark have created a perfect storm of issues that make flying through the busy New Jersey airport a nightmare. The airport has suffered four air traffic control issues in recent weeks, leaving pilots and controllers unable to communicate at critical moments.

What's Been Going Wrong

Airport system outages at Newark stem from aging infrastructure and a controversial decision to move air traffic control operations from New York to Philadelphia last July. Controllers and their union opposed the move, which has contributed to ongoing problems with communication systems and staffing shortages.

Flight delays Newark passengers have experienced recently include complete communication blackouts between pilots and air traffic controllers. These outages happen at one of the nation's busiest airports, creating ripple effects that mess up flight schedules nationwide.