Lufthansa #LH402 Boeing 747 to Newark was forced to divert to Boston

On September 2, 2024, flight LH402, a Boeing 747 traveling from Frankfurt to Newark, encountered a significant delay while approaching its destination. After seven hours in the air, the aircraft was instructed to hold at 14,000 feet due to a radar outage at Newark Airport. Subsequently, the plane climbed to 15,000 feet before being redirected to Boston, where it landed approximately two hours after its original arrival time. A one-hour delay was incurred before the aircraft could depart for Newark, which it reached after a short flight from Boston. The radar issues were reported to be linked to a recent transition of air traffic control responsibilities from the New York TRACON to the Philadelphia TRACON. From an expert standpoint in the transportation field, this situation highlights the critical importance of reliable radar systems for air traffic management. The seamless functioning of radar is vital for maintaining safety and efficiency, particularly in busy airspace such as that around Newark. Any outages can lead to significant delays, as seen in this incident, and could potentially strain resources at alternate airports. The decision to shift TRACON responsibilities should involve comprehensive testing and contingency plans to ensure that such outages can be managed effectively in the future to minimize passenger disruptions.