Overview

• Newark Liberty International Airport is operating with only three of the required 14 air traffic controllers, causing significant delays and cancellations.
• The FAA has formed an emergency task force to fast-track upgrades, including high-bandwidth telecom connections and a new STARS hub at Philadelphia TRACON, with some fixes expected by year-end.
• Recent equipment failures, including three communication outages in two weeks, have led to heightened safety concerns and trauma leave for some controllers.
• United Airlines and FAA officials stress that layered safety protocols and pilot training ensure flights remain safe despite ongoing disruptions.
• Flight caps, ground delays, and airline schedule reductions continue to manage traffic flow while long-term solutions are implemented.