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Newark Airport Faces Continued Disruptions as FAA Implements Emergency Measures

A 45-minute ground stop on May 11 marks the latest in a series of outages, prompting federal flight reductions and infrastructure upgrades to address chronic ATC failures and staffing shortages.

A United Airlines Station Operation Center stands at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., May 9, 2025. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo
The New York City skyline is seen behind Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Overview

  • Newark Liberty International Airport experienced a 45-minute ground stop on May 11 due to another air traffic control equipment outage, the third major disruption since late April.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to temporarily reduce flight volumes at Newark for the next several weeks to stabilize operations and improve reliability.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration is working on technical fixes, including adding high-bandwidth connections and establishing a STARS hub at the Philadelphia TRACON, to modernize outdated systems.
  • A nationwide air traffic controller shortage, worsened by trauma leave and early retirements, has exacerbated delays and cancellations, with Newark seeing an average of 34 daily cancellations since mid-April.
  • Retention incentives, including a 20% upfront bonus and a proposed increase in the retirement age from 56 to 61, are being introduced to address staffing challenges.