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FAA Caps Newark Flights After Equipment Failures and Staffing Shortages

New restrictions limit hourly flights to ease delays and safety risks caused by outdated systems, controller shortages, and runway construction.

People wait in line for a delayed flight at Newark International Airport on May 5 in Newark, New Jersey.
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US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy arrives to a news conference on Newark Liberty International Airport at the Department of Transportation Headquarters on May 12 in Washington, DC.

Overview

  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a cap of 28 arrivals and 28 departures per hour at Newark Liberty International Airport until June 15, increasing to 34 each through October 25.
  • The restrictions aim to address severe delays caused by ongoing runway construction, air traffic controller shortages, and four equipment outages since late April.
  • Philadelphia TRACON, which manages Newark's airspace, operates with only 24 certified controllers out of a target of 38, further straining operations.
  • United Airlines, Newark's largest carrier, has canceled 35 daily flights to reduce pressure on the airport, with other airlines also adjusting schedules.
  • The FAA plans to modernize air traffic control systems with fiberoptic upgrades and increased staffing, but full implementation is expected to take years.