**Title:** Denver Air Traffic Controllers Face Communication Outage
**Meta Description:** Denver air traffic controllers experienced a 90-second communication failure, raising concerns about air traffic safety and outdated systems.
**URL Slug:** denver-air-traffic-controllers-communication-outage
**Headline:** Denver Air Traffic Controllers Experience 90-Second Communication Failure, Prompting Safety Concerns
Earlier this week, air traffic controllers in Denver encountered a significant communication failure, losing contact with aircraft for approximately 90 seconds. This incident, which occurred at a control facility managing air traffic around Denver International Airport, required controllers to switch to backup frequencies to maintain communication with pilots. Frank McIntosh, the FAA’s head of air traffic control, confirmed during a House hearing that while radar systems remained operational, the communication outage was a serious concern.
This latest failure follows two notable outages in the past two and a half weeks at a facility in Philadelphia, which also impacted radar and communication systems for flights in and out of Newark, New Jersey. The FAA reported that both primary and backup communication frequencies were compromised, forcing controllers to utilize an emergency frequency to relay instructions to pilots. Fortunately, aircraft remained safely separated during the incident, and operations were not significantly affected.
During the hearing, Rep. Robert Garcia of California expressed alarm over the increasing frequency of such outages, highlighting ongoing staffing and equipment issues within the air traffic control system. “These problems have persisted for decades, and it’s shocking that we continue to experience such failures,” Garcia stated, calling for immediate solutions.
In response to these ongoing challenges, the Trump administration recently unveiled a multibillion-dollar initiative aimed at modernizing the air traffic control system, which has been criticized for relying on outdated technology. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that while air travel remains safe, the recent issues in Newark could have been avoided with timely upgrades to the system.
Newark Airport has consistently ranked among the highest in the nation for flight cancellations and delays, particularly following the radar and communication outages on April 28 and May 9. A third incident occurred recently, but the backup system functioned correctly, ensuring radar remained operational.
Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat and ranking member, voiced his concerns after the hearing, stating, “The safety of the traveling public cannot continue to be compromised. We need immediate action to address these systemic issues.” In light of the staffing shortages, the FAA and airlines operating out of Newark convened to discuss potential flight reductions, with over 140 flights canceled on Thursday alone.
The urgency for reform in the air traffic control system has been underscored by several tragic incidents, including a midair collision in January that resulted in 67 fatalities. As pressure mounts for improvements, officials are committed to addressing the longstanding issues that have plagued the air traffic control system.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What caused the recent communication failure among Denver air traffic controllers?**
A: The communication failure was due to both primary and backup frequencies going down, which forced controllers to switch to an emergency frequency to maintain contact with pilots.
