Controller Crisis: Newark Breakdown

The provided article discusses a series of near-miss incidents in the US airline industry, highlighting the increasing strain and potential dangers resulting from systemic issues. These incidents, involving close calls between aircraft, raise serious concerns about passenger safety and the overall stability of the aviation system. The article attributes these close calls to a combination of factors, primarily focusing on chronic understaffing within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the air traffic control system, as well as the use of outdated equipment. This is compounded by the impact of substantial federal budget cuts implemented during the Trump administration, which further weakened the infrastructure and resources of the FAA. The article suggests that these cuts have undermined the FAA's ability to effectively oversee and manage the increasingly complex air traffic network. The lack of sufficient air traffic controllers and modern technology creates a higher risk of human error and system failures. The near-misses are presented as a symptom of a deeper crisis within the US airline industry, driven by years of neglect and a failure to adequately invest in safety and infrastructure. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/06/yhno-m06.html