Denver International Airport Loses Air Traffic Control Communications for 90 Seconds

DENVER, CO – On Monday, May 12, 2025, Denver International Airport (DIA), one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States, experienced a critical 90-second outage in air traffic control (ATC) communications, causing alarm among pilots and controllers. The incident, which disrupted contact with up to 20 aircraft, has spotlighted ongoing issues with the nation’s aging air traffic control infrastructure, prompting renewed calls for modernization.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the outage occurred around 1:50 p.m. at the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center in Longmont, Colorado, when both primary and backup radio transmitters failed. Controllers quickly switched to an emergency frequency to restore communication, ensuring no loss of separation between aircraft. “Controllers used another frequency to relay instructions to pilots,” the FAA stated, emphasizing that safety was maintained throughout the incident.

However, reports from Denver7 Investigates, citing multiple inside sources, suggest the outage lasted up to six minutes, affecting 15 to 20 aircraft approaching DIA. A controller eventually contacted one pilot via a “guard line,” typically reserved for distress situations, who then relayed instructions to other pilots to switch frequencies. David Riley, a retired air traffic controller with 32 years of experience, described the scenario as akin to “watching a car crash happen and not being able to do anything about it,” underscoring the risks of losing communication with multiple aircraft.

The incident follows similar disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport, where controllers lost radar and radio contact for 90 seconds on April 28 and again on May 9. These events have intensified scrutiny of the FAA’s outdated systems, with some equipment dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has highlighted the reliance on “antiquated telecommunications” and copper wires, noting that replacement parts are sometimes sourced from eBay due to their obsolescence.

Franklin McIntosh, FAA’s deputy head of air traffic control, testified during a U.S. House of Representatives hearing that the Denver outage lasted approximately two minutes, with controllers maintaining contact via a secondary frequency. He stressed that no aircraft were at risk of collision, thanks to established safety protocols.

The outage caused minimal operational disruption at DIA, with only two flights canceled and fewer than 300 delayed, according to FlightAware. United Airlines, which operates 38% of DIA’s flights, reported no impact on its operations. Southwest Airlines, with a 32% share, did not immediately comment.

Aviation experts point to systemic issues, including understaffing and aging infrastructure, as root causes. The FAA faces a nationwide shortage of over 3,000 controllers, with many working extended shifts. Riley attributed the Denver incident to “old equipment” and unstable funding, which hampers equipment maintenance and replacement.

In response, the Trump administration announced a $12.5 billion, three-year plan to overhaul the air traffic control system, including 4,600 new high-speed network connections and six new control centers. Duffy described the budget as a “down payment” on a long-overdue modernization effort, spurred by recent incidents and a deadly midair collision over Washington, D.C., in January 2025.

The Denver outage, while brief, has amplified concerns about the reliability of U.S. air traffic control systems. “It’s not acceptable,” Riley told Denver7. “The biggest problem is the FAA does not have stable funding to replace this equipment and maintain it appropriately.” As summer travel season approaches, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for investment to ensure the safety of America’s skies.

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