Overview

• Newark Liberty International Airport has faced over a week of delays and cancellations caused by outdated equipment failures, staffing shortages, and runway construction.
• The FAA announced emergency actions, including boosting air traffic controller staffing, adding high-bandwidth fiber-optic links, and deploying a temporary backup system at Philadelphia TRACON.
• United Airlines reduced its Newark operations by cutting 35 daily flights, citing safety concerns and the airport's reduced capacity due to an FAA-imposed cap of 28 arrivals per hour.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed plans for a nationwide air traffic control modernization, replacing aging infrastructure with advanced technology to improve safety and efficiency.
• The FAA aims to address chronic controller shortages by hiring 2,000 new personnel this year and offering incentives to retain experienced staff.