Flights are resuming to and from Philadelphia International Airport after a telecommunications outage caused significant delays and grounded flights across several major Northeast airports.
According to NJ Transit, around 9:45 a.m., Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, a construction crew working on the Delco Lead project between New Brunswick and North Brunswick accidentally severed a fiber-optic cable while working at the site.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the cut fiber line caused the telecommunications outage that forced the FAA to pause flights in the region.
“Preliminary information indicates the crew was operating approximately 10 feet from the utility markings. ,NJ TRANSIT staff is currently on site working to determine the status of the repairs, while also determining whether it was Verizon or the contractor who made the utility markings at the site.” NJ Transit said.
“We will continue to work closely with Verizon and the contractor as the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” NJ Transit again.
During the afternoon, ground stops were in place, then lifted for Philadelphia International.
The outage affected Philadelphia TRACON, a facility where air traffic controllers guide aircraft approaching and departing airports.
Duffy said the incident highlights the need for additional funding to modernize aging infrastructure and prevent similar disruptions.
Officials said travelers can check the FAA’s website for real-time airport information.
