Imagine flying toward one of the busiest airports in the country and suddenly losing all contact with air traffic controllers.
That’s exactly what happened over Denver International Airport on Monday, causing tense moments and chaos in the airspace.
For about 90 seconds, controllers lost communication with incoming flights, sparking concern and highlighting ongoing issues with America’s aging air traffic systems.
What Happened During the 90-Second Outage
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that part of the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) went dark around 1:50 p.m. local time.
Both transmitters covering a crucial chunk of airspace went offline, meaning controllers couldn’t speak directly to pilots approaching the airport.
Despite the blackout, controllers managed to use an alternate frequency to guide the planes safely.
According to reports, as many as 20 pilots couldn’t communicate during that window, leading one controller to use an emergency guard line to reach one pilot.
That pilot then helped relay instructions to others, which likely prevented any accidents.
Aging Equipment and Growing Concerns
This incident is not isolated. It’s just the latest in a string of air traffic control communication failures that have hit major airports around the country recently, including Newark and Philadelphia.
Retired Denver controller David Riley pointed out that the underlying problem is aging and failing equipment.
He explained how frightening it is when controllers lose contact with multiple planes simultaneously.
“It’s like watching a car crash and not being able to do anything,” Riley said, emphasizing the serious safety risks when technology fails in the skies.
More Communication Failures Shake U.S. Airspace
Only days before the Denver event, Philadelphia’s Terminal Radar Approach Control facility (TRACON) lost telecommunications briefly with aircraft heading to and from Newark Airport.
Audio from the event captures a controller urging a pilot to pressure their airline to fix the recurring issues.
In another moment, a controller tells a private jet to maintain altitude in case communication cuts out again.
Even more alarming, a similar outage happened at Newark on April 28, lasting around 30 seconds — a nerve-wracking eternity for pilots and controllers alike.
The stress was so intense that some air traffic staff have since taken trauma leave to recover from the ordeal.
Staffing Woes and Equipment Failures Across the Country
The troubles don’t stop with communication blackouts.
In Austin, Texas, flights were delayed for up to 90 minutes due to chronic understaffing at the FAA’s control tower.
Meanwhile, Atlanta’s massive airport issued a ground stop on Mother’s Day because of equipment failure, underscoring how widespread these problems are.
The Root of the Problem Lies in Outdated Systems
These repeated incidents have intensified criticism of the FAA’s aging infrastructure.
Officials from the Trump administration have pointed to “antiquated” systems as the core issue, stressing the urgent need for upgrades to ensure safety and reliability in American airspace.