FAA weighs reducing Newark flights after hundreds of disruptions

FAA weighs reducing Newark flights after hundreds of disruptions


The FAA Air Traffic Control tower at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey on May 7, 2025.

Kena Betancur | AFP | Getty Images

U.S. airlines will meet with the Federal Aviation Administration this week to discuss cutting flights at Newark Liberty International Airport after a series of equipment failures and air traffic controller shortages sparked hundreds of flight disruptions and drew more support to modernize aging U.S. aviation infrastructure.

“What you see in Newark is going to happen in other places across the country,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday. “It has to be fixed.”

Air traffic controllers tasked with guiding planes in and out of the New Jersey airport late last month lost the ability to see and talk to planes for about 90 seconds. Disruptions lasted for days and topped 1,000 delays after several air traffic controllers took trauma leave because of the stress of the incident, the FAA said.

A similar equipment outage occurred before dawn on Friday. On Sunday, the FAA said there was a “telecommunications issue” at the same facility, forcing it to slow traffic in and out of Newark “while we ensured redundancies were working as designed.” Runway construction at Newark has added to delays, vexing executives as the busy summer travel season approaches.

Why the U.S. doesn't have enough air traffic controllers

The outages have reignited concerns about the aging U.S. air traffic control infrastructure and persistent shortages of air traffic controllers.

On Thursday, Duffy, accompanied by the CEOs of the largest U.S. airlines, unveiled an sweeping plan to modernize equipment and build new facilities. He didn’t offer a price tag, but industry officials say $31 billion is needed from Congress for upgrades and more hiring.

Airlines have repeatedly pulled back flights at busy airports in and around New York City in recent years because of staffing shortfalls.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has been especially vocal about the need for flight cuts. The carrier operated more than 67% of the capacity at Newark, according to 2024 airport data. It said earlier this month said it would voluntarily cut 35 flights, about 10% of its daily Newark schedule, to ease strain on its operation.

“In ideal weather, with full staffing and with perfectly functioning technology, the FAA tells us that the airport can only handle 77 flights per hour,” Kirby said in a note to employees last week. “And yet, the FAA regularly approves schedules of 80+ flights per hour almost every day between 3:00pm and 8:00 p.m.”

“This math doesn’t work,” Kirby added in the note. “Especially when there is weather, staffing issues or technology breakdowns — the airspace, taxiways, and runways get backed up and gridlock occurs.”

The meeting about schedule reductions with airlines and the FAA is set for Wednesday at 9 a.m., the FAA said late Friday.

Read more CNBC airline news



Source

Business is strong and our brand is amazing, says Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein
Travel

Business is strong and our brand is amazing, says Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein

ShareShare Article via FacebookShare Article via TwitterShare Article via LinkedInShare Article via Email Money Movers Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corporation CEO, joins ‘Money Movers’ to discuss consumer demand, summer travel and the stock. 02:55 an hour ago Source

Read More
JetBlue to cut more flights, other costs with break-even 2025 ‘unlikely’ due to weaker travel demand
Travel

JetBlue to cut more flights, other costs with break-even 2025 ‘unlikely’ due to weaker travel demand

A JetBlue Airways Airbus A321-231 taxis at San Diego International Airport on March 4, 2025 in San Diego, California. Kevin Carter | Getty Images JetBlue Airways CEO Joanna Geraghty told staff that the carrier is implementing a host of new cost cuts as softer-than-expected travel demand is making break-even operating margins this year unlikely. “We’re […]

Read More
StandardAero CEO on growing demand, business changes post-Covid
Travel

StandardAero CEO on growing demand, business changes post-Covid

ShareShare Article via FacebookShare Article via TwitterShare Article via LinkedInShare Article via Email CNBC’s Phil LeBeau chats with StandardAero CEO Russell Ford to discuss why the engine maintenance business has done well, business challenges and much more. Source

Read More