Rep. Nick Langworthy called for answers from the Federal Aviation Administration and its contractors after Friday’s nationwide ground stop, urging Congress to fund modern air traffic control equipment and reliable backup systems.
In a Nov. 13 statement, Langworthy, chairman of the Aviation Safety Caucus, said the disruption reinforced the need to replace aging infrastructure. The FAA lifted the nationwide ground stop Friday night, though delays remained.
Langworthy said the FAA and its contractors should explain what happened, why it happened and whether other vulnerabilities could lead to future disruptions. He also called for a clear prevention plan.
He said he was relieved by reports that public safety had not been compromised, while emphasizing the inconvenience and stress experienced by travelers and their families. He described the economic impact as not yet determined.
Langworthy said he had advocated FAA infrastructure modernization for years. Although upgrading air traffic control carries a substantial cost, he argued that continued system failures would be more costly.
He urged lawmakers in both parties to agree on funding, saying passengers need dependable equipment and backup systems without further delays in modernization.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.