Severed cable disrupts air traffic in the US

 

TT

 

Published 21.02

 

Thousands are affected by the delays, including at LaGuardia Airport in New York. File photo. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP/TT

A severed cable in New Jersey has caused major disruptions to air traffic in the northeastern United States.

There are significant delays at the New York area's three major airports—JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark—as well as at airports in Philadelphia and Boston; the issue is expected to persist for several hours.

The problems are most severe for Philadelphia and Newark, and aircraft bound for those locations are being diverted to airports capable of accommodating them, NBC News reports.

The delays are also causing knock-on effects for other parts of the US air traffic network.

A cable accidentally damaged during construction work has knocked out parts of the air traffic control system, halting some air traffic.

"It is very extensive," says Bryan Bedford, an official at the US aviation authority (FAA), regarding the work to repair the cable.