Duffy outlines air traffic control overhaul
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SUMMARY
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to “radically transform” the U.S. air traffic control system amid growing safety and staffing concerns. In a Fox News interview, Duffy said the overhaul will include new telecommunications, radar, infrastructure, and hiring of more air traffic controllers. The full plan will be unveiled Thursday. The move follows a serious incident at Newark International Airport where controller screens went dark for 30 seconds, temporarily severing communication with planes. Though no collisions occurred, the incident exposed weaknesses in the system. Duffy confirmed that both the primary and backup systems failed but have since been fixed, calling the situation a warning sign of a “frail system.” He said departures from Newark have been slowed for safety while a runway undergoes construction. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association also reported trauma among staff.
