Another day of delays and cancellations at Newark Airport, when will it end?
Amanda Wallace,
NorthJersey.com
Mon, May 5, 2025
There still appears to be no end in sight to the disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport as travelers were met with more delays and cancellations Monday morning. This comes after a week of problems, including FAA equipment and staffing issues, which left thousands of travelers delayed or stranded.
The FAA reported a ground delay at the Newark Airport Monday morning, this time due to "low ceilings." Per the FAA, departures to Newark Liberty were delayed an average of 239 minutes. As of 10:45 a.m. FlightAware reported 198 delays and 133 cancellations at Newark Airport.
This comes after a week of disruptions attributed to various factors including FAA equipment and staffing issues, runway construction and weather. On Sunday alone, Newark Liberty saw 482 delays and 141 cancellations, according to FlightAware.
Gov. Phil Murphy called the delays and cancellations "completely and utterly unacceptable" in a post on X over the weekend, writing, "I know [Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy] is committed to addressing our nationwide air traffic controller shortage by supercharging hiring. The past few days have shown us exactly why we need to reverse the decades of staffing decline at the FAA."
The flight delays and cancellations over the past few days at @EWRairport have been completely and utterly unacceptable.
I know @SecDuffy is committed to addressing our nationwide air traffic controller shortage by supercharging hiring. The past few days have shown us exactly… https://t.co/cEUkWlV2dJ
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 4, 2025
Duffy also weighed in on the ongoing problems over the weekend, specifically focusing on the equipment issues.
"The technology that we are using is old. That's what is causing the outages and delays we are seeing Newark," said Duffy in a post on X Friday. "If we don't act, we will start to see these issues across the national airspace. That's why I am announcing a plan next week to build an all-new air traffic control system."
Duffy said that the current air traffic control system is "not effective to control the traffic that we have in the airspace today." He added that the existing system is safe, but that its age often leads to delays and cancellations.
What is going on at Newark Airport?
Newark Airport saw hundreds of flight delays and cancellations last week. "Due to FAA staffing issues and construction EWR is experiencing delays," the airport posted on X shortly before 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 1. A similar post was made at the end of April.
In an emailed statement Thursday an FAA spokesperson said that the administration was slowing arrivals and departures due to several factors including equipment issues, runway construction at Newark and staffing issues at Philadelphia TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control), which guides aircraft in and out of the airport.
On Wednesday, Newark posted on X that a runway will be fully closed until mid-June while it is rehabilitated as part of a $121 million rehabilitation project to "maintain the runway in a state of good repair, improve its infrastructure, meet the latest FAA standards and ensure its continued safe operation."
To close out a hectic week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby detailed a walk-off by air traffic controllers, writing in an email to customers, "Unfortunately, the technology issues were compounded as over 20% of the FAA controllers for (Newark) walked off the job." Kirby said on Friday that the carrier will cancel 35 flights a day at its Newark hub, citing the FAA equipment failures and staffing issues.
The FAA did not immediately respond to an emailed request Monday for comment on the reported equipment and staffing issues.
FAA delay updates can be viewed at https://nasstatus.faa.gov/.
Milan Sehmbi, Kenneth Niemeyer
Sat, May 3, 2025
Business Insider
Newark Liberty International Airport is facing a shortage of air traffic controllers, forcing flight cancellations.Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
United Airlines will cancel 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark Liberty International Airport.
CEO Scott Kirby cites the airport's inability to handle the scheduled flight volume.
The decision comes after more than 20% of FAA staff members walked off the job.
United Airlines is canceling dozens of daily flights to and from Newark Liberty International Airport because the airport "cannot handle the number of planes" coming in and out.
CEO Scott Kirby made the announcement on Friday, citing a staff shortage at the airport's air traffic control.
"Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead," Kirby said in a letter to customers. "We feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers."
Air traffic control issues have plagued Newark in recent weeks, causing major delays. In response, many airport workers walked off the job, exacerbating the problem.
"Technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed, resulting in dozens of diverted flights, hundreds of delayed and canceled flights, and worst of all, thousands of customers with disrupted travel plans," Kirby said in a statement to customers on Friday.
Kirby blamed a "chronically understaffed" air traffic control facility and a lack of intervention as the root causes.
The airline operates around 300 daily round-trip flights on average.
United, which operates as a major hub there, has long pushed the government to reclassify Newark as a "Level 3" airport, which would allow the FAA to limit the number of scheduled flights based on capacity and infrastructure constraints.
Several factors have contributed to the ongoing air traffic controller shortage in the United States. A 2023 report from the Department of Transportation found that the FAA still faced staffing challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a pause on training. The report said the FAA "lacks a plan to address" the staffing issues, which "in turn poses a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations."
Air traffic controllers are also hard to staff because they have specific age requirements. The FAA requires that air traffic controllers retire when they turn 56, and the agency is now only accepting applications from people under the age of 31.
In a call with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, however, Kirby expressed optimism: "We're pleased that the new administration has put together a proposal for a large, systemwide investment in FAA technology, infrastructure and staffing," he said.
Newark Liberty International Airport is facing a shortage of air traffic controllers, forcing flight cancellations.Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
United Airlines will cancel 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark Liberty International Airport.
CEO Scott Kirby cites the airport's inability to handle the scheduled flight volume.
The decision comes after more than 20% of FAA staff members walked off the job.
United Airlines is canceling dozens of daily flights to and from Newark Liberty International Airport because the airport "cannot handle the number of planes" coming in and out.
CEO Scott Kirby made the announcement on Friday, citing a staff shortage at the airport's air traffic control.
"Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead," Kirby said in a letter to customers. "We feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers."
Air traffic control issues have plagued Newark in recent weeks, causing major delays. In response, many airport workers walked off the job, exacerbating the problem.
"Technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed, resulting in dozens of diverted flights, hundreds of delayed and canceled flights, and worst of all, thousands of customers with disrupted travel plans," Kirby said in a statement to customers on Friday.
Kirby blamed a "chronically understaffed" air traffic control facility and a lack of intervention as the root causes.
The airline operates around 300 daily round-trip flights on average.
United, which operates as a major hub there, has long pushed the government to reclassify Newark as a "Level 3" airport, which would allow the FAA to limit the number of scheduled flights based on capacity and infrastructure constraints.
Several factors have contributed to the ongoing air traffic controller shortage in the United States. A 2023 report from the Department of Transportation found that the FAA still faced staffing challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a pause on training. The report said the FAA "lacks a plan to address" the staffing issues, which "in turn poses a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations."
Air traffic controllers are also hard to staff because they have specific age requirements. The FAA requires that air traffic controllers retire when they turn 56, and the agency is now only accepting applications from people under the age of 31.
In a call with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, however, Kirby expressed optimism: "We're pleased that the new administration has put together a proposal for a large, systemwide investment in FAA technology, infrastructure and staffing," he said.
Duffy said Thursday the FAA is on track to hire 2,000 new air traffic controllers this year. His plan also includes monetary incentives of up to $10,000 for academy graduates who are assigned to "hard-to-staff" air traffic facilities. The proposal would also provide financial incentives to staff, reward academy graduates, and expand the number of instructors.
"Today's actions will supercharge the air traffic controller workforce from both retention and hiring side of the equation — bringing us one step closer to reversing decades of staffing declines," Duffy said in a statement.
Duffy added on X: "We are working to harden the system. But this is why it's critical that we build an all-new air traffic control system."
United's CEO unveiled a three-point plan in March to reduce delays. The plan focused on investing in staffing, technology, and facilities, after the company announced it would cut back on its domestic flight schedule by 4% in July.
Newark Liberty International Airport did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
"Today's actions will supercharge the air traffic controller workforce from both retention and hiring side of the equation — bringing us one step closer to reversing decades of staffing declines," Duffy said in a statement.
Duffy added on X: "We are working to harden the system. But this is why it's critical that we build an all-new air traffic control system."
United's CEO unveiled a three-point plan in March to reduce delays. The plan focused on investing in staffing, technology, and facilities, after the company announced it would cut back on its domestic flight schedule by 4% in July.
Newark Liberty International Airport did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
What is happening at Newark Airport now?
Newark airport is experiencing massive delays – here’s why and what happens next.
Yahoo Creator
May 5, 2025
Newark airport is experiencing massive delays, and a lot of it has to do with United Airlines
As a frequent flyer who catches several flights out of New York or New Jersey each month, I’m well acquainted with handling flight delays, but what is happening at Newark Airport now is some next-level madness.
If there weren’t already enough significant travel changes that could affect your trip in 2025, now there’s another. As one of the largest and busiest airports in the country, Newark Airport delays were already quite common, and now they are far worse.
Whether you have an upcoming flight out of Newark or plan to fly anywhere out of the New York / New Jersey area in the future, here’s what you need to know about what’s going on at Newark Liberty Airport.
What is happening at Newark Airport?
For several days, passengers have been reporting on social media about spending hours waiting for missed, diverted, and cancelled flights, or aboard planes on the tarmac. Why? For a number of reasons, but the big disruption set in on Friday, when Newark’s largest carrier, United Airlines, announced that they would cut 35 of its 328 round-trip flights per day beginning this weekend.
Why are there delays at Newark Airport?
The delays at Newark Airport now are actually partially due to conditions that set in last summer, when management of the airspace around Newark shifted from New York to Philadelphia.
As part of this mandatory relocation, dozens of air traffic controllers relocated out of Newark. Though the move was meant to ease air traffic delays at Newark Airport, that’s not what happened.
In addition to moving air traffic controllers out of Newark Airport, staffing levels at air traffic control operations were already becoming a growing problem for both passengers and airlines. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also allowed airlines to cut flights to New York-area airports (including Newark) to help controllers keep up with traffic, which also led to higher fares.
The FAA is attributing this week’s flight disruptions at Newark to construction on Newark Airport’s runways, along with “unspecified staffing issues” and equipment failures at Philadelphia’s air traffic control center.
The delays at Newark Airport now are actually partially due to conditions that set in last summer, when management of the airspace around Newark shifted from New York to Philadelphia.
As part of this mandatory relocation, dozens of air traffic controllers relocated out of Newark. Though the move was meant to ease air traffic delays at Newark Airport, that’s not what happened.
In addition to moving air traffic controllers out of Newark Airport, staffing levels at air traffic control operations were already becoming a growing problem for both passengers and airlines. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also allowed airlines to cut flights to New York-area airports (including Newark) to help controllers keep up with traffic, which also led to higher fares.
The FAA is attributing this week’s flight disruptions at Newark to construction on Newark Airport’s runways, along with “unspecified staffing issues” and equipment failures at Philadelphia’s air traffic control center.
Delays at Newark Airport could last weeks or months
How long will Newark delays last?
Anyone who’s ever flown during a period of massive travel delays (say, when a winter storm hits over Thanksgiving weekend), knows that it can take days to rebook stranded passengers on new flights.
Aidan O’Donnell, who is the general manager of New Jersey airports at the NY/NJ’s Port Authority, told the New York Times that, while this is very routine construction, the next few weeks could be challenging
Anyone who’s ever flown during a period of massive travel delays (say, when a winter storm hits over Thanksgiving weekend), knows that it can take days to rebook stranded passengers on new flights.
Aidan O’Donnell, who is the general manager of New Jersey airports at the NY/NJ’s Port Authority, told the New York Times that, while this is very routine construction, the next few weeks could be challenging
Newark Airport runway construction
Construction on Newark Airport runways is also partly to blame for the travel delays. Newark Airport construction has reduced the number of open runways to only two, but one of these has also been underutilized.
With reduced runway capacity, planes need to simultaneously land and depart on the same runway, which is a very inefficient way to manage air traffic, resulting in flight delays and frustration on the part of air traffic controllers and passengers alike.
With over 1,000 scheduled arrivals and departures every day, these massive delays at Newark Airport are spreading to airports across the country. And, given the fact that air traffic controllers just walked off the job at Newark Airport, things could get even worse.
Why did air traffic controllers walk off the job at Newark Airport?
Air traffic controllers have long been dissatisfied with the way things were being run, and this week, dozens of air traffic controllers walked off the job at Newark Airport. Comprising about one-fifth of Newark’s air traffic controller network, the travel delays have compounded further.
Is Newark Airport experiencing flight delays today?
Yes, Newark Airport is still experiencing flight delays today. Delays that set in several days ago were compounded again this morning, May 5, 2025, when the Federal Aviation Commission issued a ground stop, forcing all planes to stay on the ground. Bad weather at Newark Airport today is the cause of these new delays, as rain, fog and "low clouds" are the reasons cited for the ground stop.
Yes, Newark Airport is still experiencing flight delays today. Delays that set in several days ago were compounded again this morning, May 5, 2025, when the Federal Aviation Commission issued a ground stop, forcing all planes to stay on the ground. Bad weather at Newark Airport today is the cause of these new delays, as rain, fog and "low clouds" are the reasons cited for the ground stop.
How will Newark Airport’s delays affect flights?
Anyone who’s been searching for ways to save money on summer travel will have noticed how skyrocketing flights have made it hard to plan a budget-friendly vacation. This latest Newark Airport news is bad news for travelers and could increase the price of flights further.
Any time supply goes down, demand goes up, and with the already increasing demand for flights as we approach summer, this reduced demand could put the squeeze on flights even more. Considering that Newark Airport is a hub for flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Central America, we could see rising flight prices for international flights all over the world.
Want to save a few bucks and spare yourself the hassle of flight delays? Your best bet may to take a road trip to a fun, affordable Midwestern city this summer instead of taking a European summer vacation.
Yahoo Creator Cassandra Brooklyn
Anyone who’s been searching for ways to save money on summer travel will have noticed how skyrocketing flights have made it hard to plan a budget-friendly vacation. This latest Newark Airport news is bad news for travelers and could increase the price of flights further.
Any time supply goes down, demand goes up, and with the already increasing demand for flights as we approach summer, this reduced demand could put the squeeze on flights even more. Considering that Newark Airport is a hub for flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Central America, we could see rising flight prices for international flights all over the world.
Want to save a few bucks and spare yourself the hassle of flight delays? Your best bet may to take a road trip to a fun, affordable Midwestern city this summer instead of taking a European summer vacation.
Yahoo Creator Cassandra Brooklyn
I'm Cassandra, a freelance writer, guidebook author, and photographer who loves all things outdoors. I've written for The New York Times, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure, and dozens more. My work tends to focus on sustainability, accessibility, and the outdoors and I have a special love for hiking, biking, and kayaking. I started as a solo traveler, now do a lot of family travel, and also multi-gen and accessible travel.
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