Newark Airport Disruptions: A Look at the Issues and Solutions
Flying into or out of Newark Liberty International Airport has been a source of frustration for travelers in the last week, with numerous cancellations, delays, and flight diversions. Passengers are reporting on social media that they have missed flights and spent hours stuck on the tarmac. The disruptions, which stretched into Friday, averaged over two hours and highlighted ongoing air traffic control staffing issues.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has attributed this week’s flight disruptions at Newark to equipment failures and staffing issues at the Philadelphia air traffic control center, as well as construction on one of Newark’s runways. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey general manager, Aidan O’Donnell, stated that these ongoing staffing issues are "effectively limiting the capacity of Newark Airport."
One of Newark’s runways was shut down on April 15 for rehabilitation and repaving, with plans to reopen in mid-June. The airport has two remaining open runways, but the FAA has underutilized one during the closure, which is the least efficient way to manage traffic. The airport handles more than 1,000 scheduled arrivals and departures each day, with the majority operated by United Airlines.
The Philadelphia control center experienced telecommunications and equipment issues on Monday, leading to hundreds of delays and cancellations and three dozen flight diversions that day. Scott Kirby, the chief executive of United Airlines, said in a letter to customers that more than 20 percent of the air traffic controllers responsible for Newark "walked off the job" this week. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association declined to comment on the situation.
The next few weeks could be challenging, with mass flight delays and cancellations taking days to resolve. United will cut 35 out of an average of 328 round-trip flights per day from its Newark schedule starting this weekend. The airport, one of the airline’s seven hubs, is a key gateway for flying to Europe, India, and the Middle East.
Without enough controllers, "Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead," Kirby said. The flight reduction is a stopgap measure since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues.
Travelers are advised to check flight status and make alternative arrangements if possible. The FAA has issued flight waivers allowing travelers to rebook without incurring extra fees. The disruptions have highlighted ongoing air traffic control staffing issues and the need for more resources to manage the increasing number of flights scheduled to operate at Newark Airport.
Reference : https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/travel/newark-airport-flight-delays.html
