U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has revealed plans to reduce the number of flights in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey's largest airport, for the “next several weeks.” This decision comes as the airport grapples with ongoing issues such as radar outages and a shortage of air traffic controllers that have led to significant flight delays and cancellations.
During an appearance on NBC's “Meet the Press,” Duffy highlighted that the flight cutbacks would vary throughout the day, primarily targeting the afternoon hours when international arrivals peak. He stated, “We want to have a number of flights that if you book your flight, you know it’s going to fly.” This initiative aims to minimize the frustration of travelers experiencing long wait times and unexpected delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a “telecommunications issue” on Sunday, which briefly impacted operations at a facility in Philadelphia responsible for directing traffic at Newark. The FAA took precautionary measures, slowing air traffic to ensure safety before normal operations resumed.
Infrastructure challenges are not limited to Newark. On the same day, hundreds of flights were delayed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport due to a runway equipment issue. The FAA issued a statement confirming that it temporarily slowed arrivals into Atlanta while technicians worked to rectify the problem.
These recent disruptions at Newark occurred just two days after a radar outage at the Philadelphia facility caused a blackout lasting 90 seconds, reminiscent of a similar incident on April 28.
The Trump administration recently proposed a multibillion-dollar overhaul of the U.S. air traffic control system, which aims to establish six new air traffic control centers and enhance technology and communications at airports nationwide within the next few years. The FAA acknowledged that delays at Newark averaged 34 arrival cancellations per day since mid-April, with delays increasing from an average of five in the mornings to 16 by evening, and lasting between 85 to 137 minutes.
In response to the ongoing shortage of approximately 3,000 air traffic controllers, Duffy expressed a desire to raise the mandatory retirement age from 56 to 61 and offer a 20% upfront bonus to encourage controllers to remain in their positions. He noted that many controllers retire after 25 years of service, typically around age 50, exacerbating the staffing crisis.
Duffy's proposals stand in contrast to the Trump administration's broader emphasis on job cuts across federal agencies. However, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby praised Duffy for prioritizing safety within the FAA and separating it from cost-cutting measures implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Kirby confirmed that United has already reduced its flight schedule at Newark and anticipates further cuts until June 15, when construction on one of the airport’s runways is expected to conclude, with some reductions likely extending through the summer.
“We have fewer flights, but we keep everything safe, and we get the airplane safely on the ground,” Kirby stated. “Safety is number one, and I’m not worried about safety. I am worried about customer delays and impacts.”
As Newark Liberty International Airport navigates these challenges, the focus remains on enhancing safety and efficiency for travelers while addressing the critical staffing shortages affecting air traffic control operations.
