Flights from airports in New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Boston were hit by travel disruption today after an air traffic control system had a back-up cable mistakenly cut by construction workers.

It came as Skyport, the operator of LF Wade International Airport, announced that the United Airlines service to Bermuda today from Newark Liberty International Airport was cancelled.

The BBC reported that ground stops have been ordered at airports in New Jersey, while New York City and Philadelphia were experiencing disruption.

The New York Times said the disruption began when a radio communications system and its back-up in Philadelphia failed, triggering delays in that city and the New York City area.

At press time, flights to Newark and Philadelphia were grounded “indefinitely” but LaGuardia and John F Kennedy International Airport were due to be back up and running. Teterboro Airport, a hub for private jets, was also in a ground stop, The New York Times said.