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3mo ago

FAA Flight Caps and Repairs Continue to Strain Newark Airport Operations

Passenger demand drops as United Airlines reduces schedules and travelers shift to LaGuardia and JFK following April's radar outage and ongoing runway repairs.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 23: Travelers get boarding passes and check in baggage at the Delta Airlines terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Airport officials are urging people to plan ahead and give themselves plenty of time to reach the airport and board their flights. Memorial Day traditionally marks the beginning of the summer travel season and airport officials said passenger numbers and vehicular traffic will be rising over the next few days and remain high for the next few months. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A plane docks on the tarmac after an air traffic control outage, bringing flights to a standstill at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., May 12, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
United Airlines planes are seen at the tarmac at Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
An operations center at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey

Overview

  • The FAA has imposed flight limits at Newark Liberty International Airport to manage congestion and safety risks following an April 28 radar and telecom outage.
  • Passenger demand at Newark has fallen sharply, with a 19% drop in arrivals and 15% decline in departures, as travelers opt for LaGuardia and JFK instead.
  • Runway repairs at Newark, scheduled to be completed by June 15, have further constrained operations and contributed to delays and cancellations.
  • United Airlines, Newark's largest carrier, has backed the FAA’s flight caps but faces revenue losses and increased costs due to reduced schedules.
  • The disruptions at Newark highlight broader issues in the U.S. air traffic control system, including aging infrastructure, staffing shortages, and the need for modernization.