A recent incident at Newark Liberty International Airport involving a toddler’s unexpected ride on a baggage conveyor belt has amplified existing concerns about the airport’s safety and efficiency. The 2-year-old boy from Staten Island managed to climb onto the conveyor belt while his mother was busy rebooking a flight at a JetBlue counter in Terminal A last Wednesday.
The child was transported by the conveyor belt into the luggage screening area on the terminal’s lower level. Two Port Authority officers, having been alerted to the situation, immediately began searching for the toddler. The officers’ quick response was instrumental in navigating the complex conveyor system, according to Port Authority Police PBA president Frank Conti.
The toddler was discovered unharmed near an X-ray machine by one of the officers, who promptly removed him from the conveyor belt. After the incident, the toddler and his family proceeded with their travel plans to Tampa, Florida for their vacation.
However, this incident is just the latest in a series of problems that have beset Newark Airport in recent times. The airport has been under fire for a variety of issues, including significant delays, numerous cancellations, potential disease spread, ongoing construction, and even blackouts in its control towers.
The situation has become so severe that a federal air safety employee has publicly advised against using the troubled airport, citing safety concerns. On April 28, air traffic controllers experienced a 90-second blackout of radar and communications, leading to a cascade of delays and trauma leave for at least five controllers. A similar blackout occurred in November of the previous year.
Adding to the airport’s troubles, New Jersey health officials recently issued a warning about a potential measles outbreak after an infected individual traveled through the airport’s Terminal B.
Proposed solutions to the airport’s problems, such as reducing daily flights, have been met with criticism as they limit options for travelers. Former Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team member Kyle Bailey suggested a permanent reduction in daily flights, along with the use of larger planes, as a potential solution. However, he conceded that there is no quick fix to the airport’s ongoing issues.