Flights at Newark Liberty International Airport were halted Monday morning after air traffic controllers evacuated the control tower due to a burning smell emanating from an elevator, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA confirmed in a statement that arrivals and departures were temporarily paused at approximately 7:30 a.m. EDT. The agency attributed the evacuation to "a burning smell coming from an elevator" in the tower facility.
The flight halt marks the second significant air travel disruption in the New York metropolitan area in less than 24 hours. Late Sunday evening, two pilots were killed when a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada collided with a fire truck while attempting to landing at LaGuardia International Airport. Forty-one passengers were hospitalized following the crash.
The incident occurs nearly one year after Newark experienced major operational difficulties. In late April 2025, air traffic controllers at Newark briefly lost contact with planes on the ground and in the air, resulting in a communication blackout that caused hundreds of flight delays and cancellations.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive lawmakers and transportation advocates are using the incident to call for increased federal investment in airport infrastructure. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who has championed legislation to upgrade air traffic control facilities, said in a statement that the Newark tower evacuation "underscores the urgent need to modernize our aviation infrastructure before more dangerous failures occur."
Progressive advocacy groups have also pointed to the combination of the Newark disruption and the LaGuardia fatal crash as evidence of systemic concerns. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee called for "a comprehensive review of air traffic control staffing and facility conditions" in a social media post, arguing that "years of underinvestment in our aviation system are putting passengers and crew at risk."
Some Democratic lawmakers have also raised concerns about the Federal Aviation Administration's resources. Representative Rick Larsen of Washington, the ranking member of the House Transportation Committee, has previously advocated for additional funding for FAA facilities and staffing.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics have framed the incident as a symptom of government inefficiency and regulatory bloat. The Club for Growth, a conservative advocacy organization, issued a statement calling the Newark halt "another example of Washington's inability to manage basic infrastructure," while questioning whether "out-of-control regulations" are contributing to operational delays.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who has frequently criticized FAA management, said on social media that "American travelers deserve better than a system where a burning smell can ground thousands of flights." Cruz has previously introduced legislation to streamline FAA certification processes and reduce what he describes as regulatory delays.
Some conservative commentators have also questioned whether the incident reflects broader issues with government employee management. The Heritage Foundation called for "a full accounting of FAA facility maintenance protocols" in a policy brief, arguing that "taxpayer-funded infrastructure should not be falling into disrepair."
What the Numbers Show
Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving as a primary hub for United Airlines. The airport handled approximately 46 million passengers in 2025, making it the 12th busiest airport in North America.
The April 2025 communication blackout at Newark resulted in over 400 flight delays and 127 cancellations on a single day, according to data from FlightAware. The incident prompted the FAA to temporarily reassign air traffic controllers from other facilities.
Sunday night's LaGuardia crash involved a De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprop operated by Jazz Aviation on behalf of Air Canada. The aircraft was attempting to land on runway 13 when it struck a fire truck that was responding to an unrelated incident involving a United Airlines flight. The two pilots killed were identified as Capt. David McLeod and First Officer Manning.
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the LaGuardia incident. Preliminary findings are expected within 30 days.
The Bottom Line
The FAA has not yet indicated when normal flight operations will resume at Newark. Travelers are advised to check with airlines for updated departure information. The dual disruptions at Newark and LaGuardia represent the most significant aviation incidents in the New York metropolitan area since the communication blackout at Newark nearly one year ago.
The combination of the tower evacuation and the fatal LaGuardia crash is likely to intensify scrutiny of aviation safety protocols and infrastructure conditions. The NTSB's investigation into the LaGuardia incident may provide additional context about systemic issues affecting regional air travel. Congressional leaders from both parties have indicated they expect briefings on both incidents in the coming week.