What Happened
Aging Communications Infrastructure Disrupts Flights Across US East Coast
A telecommunications failure has disrupted flights across the US East Coast, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to shift focus to its $27 billion modernization plan. The agency says error messages on Sunday led to a switch to a backup fiber line, which was then accidentally cut on Monday, worsening the breakdown. About 9,500 US flights were delayed or canceled on Monday, affecting a day when 130 world leaders and dozens of ministers were arriving in New York for the annual high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. The incident highlights the need for a modern telecommunications system, with Congress approving $12.5 billion last year to reform air traffic control, but still needing to approve another $10.5 billion for the project, as reported by Unknown Source.