Washington, DC, May 16 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is intensifying efforts to address persistent delays and disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the United States. On May 16, 2025, the FAA announced plans for a third day of discussions with major airlines to negotiate temporary flight reductions at the New Jersey airport. This follows two days of intensive meetings aimed at alleviating the chaos caused by a combination of equipment outages, ongoing runway construction, and critical staffing shortages in air traffic control. The agency’s goal is to reduce overscheduling, minimize flight delays, and prevent cancellations, which have plagued travelers and strained airline operations in recent weeks.
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Newark’s challenges stem from multiple systemic issues. The airport is undergoing significant runway rehabilitation, which frequently limits operations to a single runway, leading to dozens of daily cancellations and hundreds of delays. Compounding this, the FAA has faced recurring telecommunications failures at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which manages Newark’s airspace following a 2024 relocation from Long Island. A notable incident on April 28, 2025, saw controllers lose radar and radio communication for up to 90 seconds, an event described as highly dangerous and prompting several controllers to take stress leave. Nationwide, the FAA is grappling with a shortage of approximately 3,500 air traffic controllers, with Newark’s overseeing facility operating at just 24 certified controllers against a target of 38. These staffing constraints have forced the FAA to throttle flight volumes, as the airport cannot safely handle its current schedule.
The FAA’s proposed solution involves capping hourly arrivals and departures at 28 during runway construction periods, extending until June 15, 2025, and on weekends through the year’s end. When construction is not active, the agency suggests a limit of 34 arrivals and departures per hour through October 25, 2025. These restrictions aim to align flight schedules with the airport’s reduced capacity. United Airlines, which operates over 67% of Newark’s flights, has already cut 35 daily round-trip flights—about 10% of its schedule—starting in early May, citing the FAA’s staffing and technology issues. The airline has urged the FAA to designate Newark as a slot-controlled airport, similar to LaGuardia or Reagan National, to impose permanent flight limits.
The ongoing talks, which began with a two-day meeting on May 14, involve confidential sessions with individual carriers to secure voluntary flight reductions, particularly during peak hours. The FAA is also expanding discussions to include major cargo carriers and Canadian airlines, which may face requests to adjust schedules. While progress has been reported, no agreement has been finalized on cutting prime-time flights, a sticking point for airlines balancing operational needs with passenger demand. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has emphasized the urgency of these measures, noting that the current situation, where passengers face hours-long delays or cancellations, is unacceptable. He has tied Newark’s woes to an aging air traffic control infrastructure, proposing a multi-billion-dollar modernization plan to replace outdated systems, though implementation could take years. The FAA’s actions reflect a broader push to stabilize Newark’s operations as the busy summer travel season approaches. By prioritizing safety and efficiency, the agency hopes to restore reliability to a critical hub, but the path forward requires delicate coordination with airlines and significant investments in infrastructure and staffing.