Newark airport evacuates control tower after burning smell; flights briefly halted

Flights at Newark Liberty International Airport were briefly paused on Monday morning after air traffic controllers evacuated the control tower following reports of smoke and a burning smell, prompting a temporary ground stop.As per ABC News, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a ground stop was put in place after the tower was evacuated at around 7:30 am (local time).

FAA says no fire, burning smell came from elevator

The FAA said the disruption was triggered by a suspected issue linked to an elevator, not an active fire.“Arrivals and departures are temporarily paused at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey after air traffic controllers evacuated the tower because of a burning smell coming from an elevator,” the FAA said in a statement, as quoted by ABC News.

“It happened around 7:30 am (local time) on Monday, March 23,” the agency added.An FAA spokesperson also clarified there was no fire, according to ABC News, and said controllers left the tower because of a burning smell from an elevator.

Controllers shifted to backup dacility, flights delayed

As the evacuation unfolded, air traffic controllers were moved to a backup facility on site.The temporary move forced flights to hold, though the disruption appeared short-lived.

By around 8:30 am (local time), controllers were seen moving back into the tower, suggesting the situation had stabilised.Soon after, flights were observed landing again at Newark, and the ground stop was lifted, according to ABC7.The incident at Newark came as the New York-area aviation network was already under strain.Nearby LaGuardia Airport remained closed after a plane collided with a truck on a runway.