Newark Liberty International Airport has been grappling with significant flight delays and cancellations, persisting into Monday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has noted that some air traffic controllers have taken time off to recuperate from stress caused by recent equipment and telecommunications malfunctions.
Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, has demanded an inquiry into the “chaos” arising from a shortage of air traffic controllers and dense cloud cover. Schumer, a New York Democrat, anticipates an inspector general’s investigation to ensure that these disruptions do not escalate or spread. Adding to the voices of concern, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy labeled the situation as “completely and utterly unacceptable” in a social media post, asserting that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is dedicated to boosting the number of air traffic controllers.
The troublesome delays at one of the critical airports near New York City captured the spotlight over the weekend. United Airlines responded by trimming 35 flights from its daily schedule. On Monday, the FAA cited a mix of staffing issues and cloud cover for flight delays that extended nearly four hours.
The inconveniences at Newark run deeper than recent incidents. Last week, the airport also faced disruptions. United CEO Scott Kirby disclosed in a letter to customers that there had been multiple failures of the system responsible for managing aircraft at the New Jersey airport over recent days. He noted that these technical breakdowns were compounded by an over 20% reduction in Newark’s air traffic control workforce, as many controllers opted to leave their positions temporarily.
In a statement released on Monday, the FAA acknowledged that some of its controllers handling Newark’s flight arrivals and departures were taking a necessary break to recover against the backdrop of stressful outages. “Our outdated air traffic control system is impacting our workforce,” the FAA highlighted in its communiqué.
Citing a lack of resolution over what have been described as longstanding issues in the air traffic control system, United Airlines decided to cut back 35 daily flights from its Newark operations on Saturday. Efforts to elicit comments from the air traffic controllers’ labor union and the Federal Transportation Department remain unaddressed.
The issue extends beyond Newark. The previous administration underscored the need to overhaul an “obsolete” air traffic control system. Efforts to enhance the air traffic controller workforce and tackle a nationwide shortage are ongoing, with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy last week unveiling a recruitment initiative and providing incentives for current controllers to stave off retirement. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association acknowledged these initiatives as potential remedies to staff shortages but maintained that the system desperately needs updates in terms of technology and infrastructure.
Amid this backdrop, United Airlines’ strategy to reduce its flight inventory at Newark aligns with a period marked by uncertainty for U.S. airlines. Potential travelers are reconsidering air travel for business or leisure, uncertain about the economic repercussions of President Donald Trump’s trade policies. The unpredictability is underscored by United’s recent move of issuing two distinct projections for its annual financial performance—one considering a potential recession and another dismissing it. From Newark, the airline operates flights to 76 U.S. cities and 81 overseas destinations.