Shumita Basu

Then there was the deadly collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Washington, D.C. in January that killed 67 people. In that case, just one air traffic controller was managing both helicopter and commercial traffic, which is a job normally done by two people.

Then there was the deadly collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Washington, D.C. in January that killed 67 people. In that case, just one air traffic controller was managing both helicopter and commercial traffic, which is a job normally done by two people.

In April, air traffic controllers at Newark in New Jersey, one of the busiest airspaces in the country, lost all radar and radio contact with planes for 90 seconds. And it happened again just over a week later. Then last week, the same thing happened to air traffic controllers in Denver for about two minutes.

In April, air traffic controllers at Newark in New Jersey, one of the busiest airspaces in the country, lost all radar and radio contact with planes for 90 seconds. And it happened again just over a week later. Then last week, the same thing happened to air traffic controllers in Denver for about two minutes.

In April, air traffic controllers at Newark in New Jersey, one of the busiest airspaces in the country, lost all radar and radio contact with planes for 90 seconds. And it happened again just over a week later. Then last week, the same thing happened to air traffic controllers in Denver for about two minutes.

All of these incidents have raised questions like, are these staffing issues and communication outages normal and we're just now hearing about them? Or is something new happening here?

All of these incidents have raised questions like, are these staffing issues and communication outages normal and we're just now hearing about them? Or is something new happening here?

All of these incidents have raised questions like, are these staffing issues and communication outages normal and we're just now hearing about them? Or is something new happening here?

Zach Wichter covers consumer travel for USA Today.

Zach Wichter covers consumer travel for USA Today.

Zach Wichter covers consumer travel for USA Today.

Right now, there are some bigger holes in that system because of how the FAA is funded.

Right now, there are some bigger holes in that system because of how the FAA is funded.

Right now, there are some bigger holes in that system because of how the FAA is funded.

In a recent New York Times analysis of air traffic control facilities nationwide, reporters learned that 99 percent of facilities are operating below the recommended staffing levels set by the FAA and the union representing air traffic controllers. And the administration has said that the U.S.

In a recent New York Times analysis of air traffic control facilities nationwide, reporters learned that 99 percent of facilities are operating below the recommended staffing levels set by the FAA and the union representing air traffic controllers. And the administration has said that the U.S.

In a recent New York Times analysis of air traffic control facilities nationwide, reporters learned that 99 percent of facilities are operating below the recommended staffing levels set by the FAA and the union representing air traffic controllers. And the administration has said that the U.S.

air traffic control system is so outdated that it still relies on technology like floppy disks to function. And certain replacement parts can only be found on eBay. Here's Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaking at a press conference earlier this month, shortly after the Newark incidents.

air traffic control system is so outdated that it still relies on technology like floppy disks to function. And certain replacement parts can only be found on eBay. Here's Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaking at a press conference earlier this month, shortly after the Newark incidents.

air traffic control system is so outdated that it still relies on technology like floppy disks to function. And certain replacement parts can only be found on eBay. Here's Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaking at a press conference earlier this month, shortly after the Newark incidents.