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More Than 1,000 Flights Canceled After Fiber-Optic Cable Disruption

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 11:13 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights on September 21 after a severed fiber-optic cable disrupted communications.
A damaged fiber-optic line in New Jersey crippled a Northeast air-traffic hub, prompting FAA ground stops.
Airlines offered temporary waivers for September 21-22, permitting fee-free ticket changes within days.
DOT rules mandate full refunds, including taxes, and AirHelp’s Eric Napoli urges travelers to claim promptly.

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Story summary

U.S. airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights on September 21 after a severed fiber-optic cable disrupted communications.
A damaged fiber-optic line in New Jersey crippled a Northeast air-traffic hub, prompting FAA ground stops.
Airlines offered temporary waivers for September 21-22, permitting fee-free ticket changes within days.
DOT rules mandate full refunds, including taxes, and AirHelp’s Eric Napoli urges travelers to claim promptly.