• Newark airport equipment failure caused nearly 80 flight cancellations and over 40 delays, disrupting weekend travel plans.
• The FAA issued a 45-minute ground stop and plans to reduce flights for several weeks due to staffing and system issues.
• United Airlines, handling most Newark flights, will face major schedule changes after a planned meeting with other carriers.

Newark Liberty International Airport had another major problem on Sunday morning. An equipment outage at the airport’s air traffic control facility forced the FAA to stop all flights for 45 minutes. This caused serious disruptions across the airport. Nearly 80 flights got canceled, and more than 40 flights were delayed. Travelers waited with no clear updates. The outage added more chaos to an already stressful weekend for people flying in and out of the New York City area.

FAA Stops All Flights to Prevent More Trouble

The FAA took quick action when the problem started. Officials called for a full ground stop to avoid any safety risks. Planes could not take off or land during that 45-minute window. Crews worked to fix the issue while flights stayed on the ground. This quick decision likely prevented even more delays or accidents. Still, the impact was huge, with flight schedules thrown into confusion.

Second Air Traffic Problem in Just Two Days

This was not the first time Newark faced trouble this week. Just two days earlier, on Friday morning, a radar malfunction also forced a stop to all flights. That outage didn’t last long, but it showed how fragile the airport’s systems have become. Two serious issues in one weekend raised new concerns about the airport’s ability to manage safe and smooth air travel.

Newark Will Cut Flights for Several Weeks Ahead

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the situation on national TV. He appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and gave a clear warning. Newark will reduce the number of flights over the next several weeks. He said this step is necessary due to a shortage of air traffic controllers and recent technical issues. Fewer flights will help keep operations running more smoothly and reduce travel chaos.

Duffy Says Travelers Deserve Reliable Flights

Duffy stressed the need for dependability. He said the government wants travelers to trust their bookings. “If you book your flight, you should know it’s going to fly,” he said. He pointed out that this can only happen if the airport handles fewer flights. Right now, there aren’t enough trained workers to manage full capacity safely.

Airlines Will Meet Soon to Plan Reductions

All airlines flying out of Newark will meet this week. They will decide how many flights to cut and how to handle the changes. Duffy confirmed this during his interview. The goal is to avoid future meltdowns and improve reliability. Airlines will need to adjust their schedules to support the new limits.

United Airlines Will Feel the Biggest Impact

United Airlines operates about 75% of the flights at Newark. Any major cut will hit United harder than other carriers. The airline will likely need to reduce the number of daily flights. That could cause longer wait times, fewer booking options, and more pressure on nearby airports. Still, officials believe this is the best way to fix the growing problems.