An air traffic control staffing crisis has plunged Newark Liberty International Airport into chaos, igniting fears over aviation safety and straining its operations.
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On May 4, 2025, Newark experienced 210 flight delays and 88 cancellations, highlighting the airport’s inability to manage operations efficiently.
This crippling situation raises serious questions about resource allocation in air traffic management.
United Airlines announced a drastic cut of 35 daily round-trip flights at Newark due to the dual challenges of FAA technology failures and inadequate staffing, according to reports.
These cuts represent approximately 10% of United’s service at the airport.
Nearly one-quarter of FAA air traffic controllers at Newark walked off because of malfunctioning technology, worsening the existing understaffing problem.
This has resulted in significant flight delays and cancellations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
The FAA issued a Ground Delay for Newark, with flights averaging 127-minute delays.
The New Jersey Port Authority has urged the FAA to rectify staffing shortages and upgrade technology.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the outdated technology and emphasized the necessity for a new air traffic control system.
“It’s disappointing to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers,” stated United CEO Scott Kirby, cited by The New York Post.
The situation in Philadelphia, where 20% of air traffic controllers walked out amid issues, exacerbates Newark’s problems.
Kirby attributed the cuts to the sharp reduction in available air traffic controllers at Newark.
Both Newark and Philadelphia have faced diverted, delayed, and canceled flights, severely affecting logistical operations.
The FAA’s staffing problems have roots in past political decisions, yet the implications today are borne by passengers nationwide.
High customer dissatisfaction is understandable given that over 300 flights were delayed or canceled at Newark alone, with ripple effects felt in airports across the country, such as those in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, and Dallas.
The FAA is scrambling to mitigate these issues, pledging the hiring of 2,000 air traffic controllers this year and offering incentives such as a 30% salary boost, bonuses, and awards for hard-to-staff locales.
Yet one must wonder if these eleventh-hour measures are too little, too late, to restore confidence and ensure smooth air travel operations.
If you have a flight inbound or outbound from Newark, change your flight. It could save your life. Even the FAA says Newark is NOT SAFE. https://t.co/YCDqCXy0EB pic.twitter.com/hQ4p4AmedW
— Scampbell (@AccountableRep) May 4, 2025
