Construction Workers Sever Verizon Cable, Disrupting Major US Airport Flights

Air traffic control operations in several key US regions faced significant disruption today following a fibre-optic cable cut during construction work. The incident led to widespread flight delays impacting major hubs such as LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the cable damage affected air traffic control communications and radar systems, necessitating manual operations in some sectors. Verizon, the telecommunications provider responsible for the damaged cable, stated its engineers are on-site working to restore services. While the company did not provide an estimated time for full repair, it acknowledged the substantial impact on air travel.

Passengers experienced considerable delays and cancellations, with airline operators advising travellers to check flight statuses prior to heading to airports. This incident underscores the fragility of critical infrastructure and its immediate implications for national transportation networks.