Airline and pilot preparations for managing disruptions in air traffic control during the busy summer travel period explained.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating multiple air traffic control (ATC) outages at the Philadelphia air traffic control center since April, with previous incidents occurring at Newark Liberty International Airport and the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center. Despite these occurrences, the U.S.'s ATC system has established procedures and backup systems to handle outages, minimizing safety risks and operational impacts.
When communication is lost at an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), as happened temporarily at Denver ARTCC in June, the outage is usually brief and local procedures are engaged immediately to restore communications and control. In case of longer or more complex outages, nearby aircraft may be requested to assist with relaying information, while pilots follow established protocols to safely exit controlled airspace if necessary.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, a unique rolling "up-down-up" failure across multiple ATC frequencies created intermittent communication disruptions. Pilots are advised to try other frequencies at multi-frequency airports like Newark, which typically have multiple approach, tower, ground, clearance delivery, and ramp control channels. This redundancy helps maintain contact even if a primary frequency fails.
All airliners have an onboard collision avoidance system known as TCAS. When a plane's transponder is set to 7,600, it signals comms trouble to controllers and other aircraft. If ATC communication fails, other aircraft can be separated around the affected plane. If a potential collision is detected, the pilot would stop all activities and check the navigation display for the encroaching traffic.
Pilots encountering ATC outages rely on standard protocols: maintaining current clearance, flying on last assigned headings or altitudes, and exiting congested controlled airspace to safe non-towered fields if necessary. Good judgment is key; for example, in complex airspace such as Class B, pilots might opt to fly lower to quickly exit controlled zones, balancing noise abatement with safety.
In case of communication loss with ATC, pilots can use a text messaging system to communicate with ground crews. If necessary, pilots can use multiple radio frequencies for communication, including a primary frequency and a standby frequency. In the event of prolonged outages, pilots may use cell phones to contact tower personnel.
The U.S.'s air traffic control system is aging and has experienced issues in locations like Newark, Denver, and Jacksonville over the past several months. The Trump administration announced plans in May to overhaul the country's air traffic control system.
The TSA expects to screen over 18.5 million flyers during a 7-day stretch over the Fourth of July. The FAA continuously investigates root causes and enhances system resilience to minimize the impact of such events on overall air traffic safety and efficiency.
Kris Van Cleave, an Emmy Award-winning journalist serving as the senior transportation correspondent for our News based in Phoenix, Arizona, reports on these developments for all our News broadcasts and platforms.
[1] FAA Office of Communications, "FAA Activates Contingency System During NOTAM System Outage," 1 February 2025,
[2] FAA Office of Communications, "FAA Provides Update on Denver ARTCC Communications Outage," 12 June 2025,
[3] FAA Office of Communications, "FAA Provides Update on Jacksonville ATCT Communications Outage," 15 June 2025,
In the midst of ongoing investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into air traffic control (ATC) outages at various centers, such as the Philadelphia air traffic control center, the Newark Liberty International Airport, and the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center, it's worth noting the resilience of the U.S.'s ATC system. When faced with communication losses, near-aircraft might be requested to aid in information relay, while pilots follow established procedures to safely navigate out of controlled airspace if necessary. Additionally, the aviation industry depends on the use of financial resources and resources from other sectors like transportation to maintain system efficiency and safety during outages.
