US flights resume after radar failure causes 31,700 disruptions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted a nationwide flight ground stop in the United States after a communications and radar disruption affected air traffic control operations, resulting in more than 25,100 delays and 6,600 cancellations. The post US flights resume after radar failure causes 31,700 disruptions appeared first on Nairametrics .
On Friday, November 13, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted a nationwide ground stop in the United States following a radar and communications failure that disrupted air traffic control operations. This incident led to over 25,100 flight delays and more than 6,600 cancellations. The disruption began around 3:36 p.m. Eastern Time when the systems started producing inconsistent data, attributed to ageing switches, routers, and overloaded copper communication lines.
The FAA's decision came after tracking the issue through updates from US transportation officials and flight-tracking data reported by Yahoo News. The disruption affected both domestic and international flights, causing significant challenges for airlines, including displaced aircraft, crew schedule conflicts, and stranded passengers. International airlines were also impacted by the communication difficulties within US airspace.
Nigeria's air traffic management infrastructure, managed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), faces similar critical issues. The agency's nine-station Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system is outdated and nearing the end of its operational life, with some components difficult to replace and several stations lacking adequate backup. This has led to communication problems affecting Nigerian airspace, prompting calls for modernization efforts.
Proposed improvements for NAMA include extending VHF coverage, modernizing voice communication systems, replacing obsolete radar components, and completing the automation of the Aeronautical Information Service. Enhanced radar and communication infrastructure could improve aviation safety and boost Nigeria's earnings from international overflights.
Industry stakeholders estimate that improved systems could generate up to $1.5 billion annually for NAMA, though current revenue and remittances historically fall short of these projections. The agency's annual operational and personnel costs exceed N43 billion, highlighting the financial challenges associated with upgrading its infrastructure.
Written by urgent.news from Nairametrics's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
