Flights at major US airports delayed after cable cut by construction workers
Verizon, which owns the cable, says it is working to repair it "as quickly as possible".
Flights at major US airports delayed after cable cut by construction workers
Hundreds of flights were delayed at major airports across the US after construction workers accidentally severed a cable needed for air traffic control.
Ground stops and delays were announced on Monday afternoon for airports in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
Transportation officials said the damage affected the Terminal Radar Approach Control system, which helps guide planes during takeoff and landing.
Telecommunications company Verizon, which owns the cable, told US media it was working to fix it "as quickly as possible" and that it "bears no responsibility" for the incident.
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey was the hardest hit by today's air traffic control disruptions, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
It said 267 departing flights were delayed today, while another 257 flights bound for Newark were also delayed.
John F Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, both in New York, were also affected, as was Philadelphia International Airport.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the damage was caused by workers from Amtrak, the US national operator of intercity railroad service, who were carrying out construction in New Jersey.
This "caused a telecom outage" that forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground flights, Duffy posted on X. Officials said the cut cable was actually a backup network, and the mistake was only found after the primary circuit failed.
The major east coast disruption comes ahead of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City on Tuesday, which is expected to draw scores of world leaders arriving at New York-area airports.