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FAA Grounds New York-Area Flights After New Jersey Fibre Cable Cut as UN General Assembly Opens

other · 2026-09-21

On Monday, a construction crew accidentally cut a fibre cable at a site in New Jersey, leading to ground stops at several major airports along the East Coast, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. Affected airports included John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Teterboro, with additional flight interruptions at those serving Philadelphia and Boston. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford informed the media that the incident resulted in numerous flight cancellations. He noted that a backup fibre line would soon be operational, although it remained uncertain when the ground stops at New York-area airports would be lifted. This disruption coincided with the arrival of 130 world leaders and numerous ministers in New York for the UN General Assembly's annual high-level meeting.

Key facts

  • The FAA halted flights at busy East Coast airports in New York, Philadelphia and Boston on Monday.
  • A fibre cable was accidentally cut at a construction site in New Jersey.
  • Ground stops were issued for John F. Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.
  • FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said a backup fibre line was cut accidentally by a construction crew.
  • Bedford said a new circuit would be operational imminently.
  • It was not clear when the ground stops at the New York-area airports would be lifted.
  • 130 world leaders and dozens of ministers are arriving in New York for the UN General Assembly's annual high-level meeting.
  • The FAA said the cut fibre line prompted significant flight cancellations at several airports.

Entities

Institutions

  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • United Nations General Assembly

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • Philadelphia
  • Boston
  • New Jersey
  • John F. Kennedy Airport
  • LaGuardia Airport
  • Teterboro

Sources