What's happened
On May 15, 2025, a communication outage at Denver International Airport affected air traffic control, causing concerns about safety. This incident follows similar outages at Newark Liberty International Airport, raising alarms about the reliability of the air traffic control system amid ongoing equipment issues.
What's behind the headline?
Key Issues
- Frequency Outage: The Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center lost communication for approximately 90 seconds, forcing controllers to use emergency frequencies. This raised safety concerns as up to 20 pilots could not reach controllers during their descent.
- System Reliability: The FAA's recent acknowledgment of staffing and equipment problems highlights systemic issues within air traffic control. Rep. Robert Garcia emphasized the need for immediate solutions, noting that these failures are becoming more frequent.
- Government Response: Following a deadly midair collision earlier this year, the Trump administration announced a multibillion-dollar plan to upgrade the air traffic control system. This incident underscores the urgency of addressing these longstanding issues to prevent future tragedies.
Implications
- Operational Impact: While the FAA reported no immediate operational impacts during the Denver outage, the cumulative effect of these failures could lead to increased flight cancellations and delays, particularly at Newark, which has seen significant disruptions.
- Public Confidence: Frequent outages may erode public trust in air travel safety, prompting calls for more robust oversight and investment in modernizing air traffic control infrastructure.
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the Denver outage occurred when transmitters went down, leading controllers to use backup frequencies. The FAA stated, 'Aircraft remained safely separated and there were no impacts to operations.' However, the AP News reported that Rep. Robert Garcia expressed concern over the increasing frequency of such outages, calling it 'very concerning.' Meanwhile, the NY Post highlighted that the outage left as many as 20 pilots unable to communicate with controllers, raising alarms about safety protocols. This contrast in reporting emphasizes the varying perspectives on the severity and implications of the incident.
How we got here
The Denver outage occurred after two radar and communication failures at Newark Liberty International Airport in recent weeks. These incidents have prompted scrutiny of the air traffic control system, which has been criticized for relying on outdated technology.
Go deeper
- What caused the communication outage at Denver Airport?
- How does this impact air travel safety?
- What steps are being taken to improve air traffic control?
Common question
-
What Caused the Communication Outage at Denver Airport?
On May 15, 2025, Denver International Airport experienced a significant communication outage that raised concerns about air traffic control safety. This incident has sparked questions about the reliability of airport communication systems and the implications for air travel. Below, we address common questions regarding the outage and its effects.
More on these topics
-
Denver International Airport, locally known as DIA, is an international airport in the Western United States, primarily serving metropolitan Denver, Colorado, as well as the greater Front Range Urban Corridor.
-
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a U.S. federal government agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates civil aviation in the United States and surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic control...
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
-
Colorado is a state in the western United States encompassing most of the southern Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains.
-
Newark Liberty International Airport, originally Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport straddling the boundary between the cities of Newark and Elizabeth in Essex County and Union County, New Jerse