With a trio of air traffic control equipment failures in little more than a week, Newark Liberty Airport has become the poster child for the problems plaguing the nation‘s airports. The meltdown prompted government and airline officials to take to Sunday morning news talk shows to reassure nervous travelers that flying from Newark is still safe.

A staffing shortage, runway construction and deferred maintenance to crucial air traffic technology have made Newark Airport a national laughingstock.

Disruptions to communications between pilots and air-traffic control left travelers shaken, with some questioning if flying out of the airport is safe.