Washington, DC, May 19 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a significant decision to address persistent operational challenges at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), one of the nation’s busiest aviation hubs. The decision, finalized after extensive consultations with airlines and stakeholders, focuses on reducing flight schedules to mitigate delays and cancellations caused by a combination of air traffic control staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and ongoing runway construction. This move marks a critical step in prioritizing safety and operational efficiency at the airport, which serves the New York metropolitan area and handles a substantial volume of domestic and international flights.
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The FAA’s decision includes a proposal to cap the maximum arrival rate at Newark at 28 aircraft per hour during the ongoing construction of Runway 4L/22R, which is expected to continue daily until June 15, 2025, and on weekends from September through the end of the year. Once the construction phase concludes, the FAA plans to adjust the cap to 34 arrivals per hour through October 25, 2025. A corresponding departure rate of 28 flights per hour during construction and 34 thereafter will also be implemented. This reduction aims to alleviate the strain on the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which manages Newark’s airspace and has faced significant challenges due to understaffing and equipment failures. The FAA’s final order on these scheduling limitations is expected by the end of May 2025, following a meeting held on May 14, 2025, with scheduled air carriers and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the airport’s operator.
The decision comes in response to a series of disruptions at Newark, including multiple telecommunications outages at the Philadelphia TRACON. On April 28, 2025, controllers lost radar and communication with aircraft for approximately 30 to 90 seconds, leading to hundreds of delays and cancellations. Subsequent outages on May 9 and May 11 further highlighted the fragility of the aging infrastructure, with radar screens going dark and controllers briefly unable to communicate with planes. These incidents prompted several controllers to take medical leave under the Federal Employees Compensation Act, citing the stress of the events. The FAA has acknowledged that the area handling Newark’s traffic is severely understaffed, with only 22 certified controllers against a target of 38, and 21 additional controllers and supervisors in training.
To address these issues, the FAA is implementing immediate technological and logistical improvements. The agency is adding three high-bandwidth telecommunications connections between the New York-based Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) and the Philadelphia TRACON, replacing outdated copper lines with fiber-optic technology to enhance speed and reliability. A temporary backup system has also been deployed to prevent further outages. Additionally, the FAA is accelerating efforts to increase air traffic controller staffing, with training classes scheduled through July 2026. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that safety remains the top priority, stating that reducing flight volumes is essential to ensure reliable operations while the agency works to modernize the air traffic control system. The FAA’s actions reflect a broader commitment to addressing systemic challenges in the national airspace system. Newark’s issues, compounded by its role as a major hub for United Airlines, which has already cut 35 daily round-trip flights, underscore the need for long-term investments in infrastructure and workforce development. The agency has pledged to maintain transparency, providing real-time updates on operations at fly.faa.gov. As the summer travel season approaches, the FAA’s decision aims to stabilize Newark’s operations, reduce passenger disruptions, and lay the groundwork for a more resilient aviation system.