CA, US & World
Mounting Delays at Newark Airport Enter Second Week as Air Travel System Feels Ripple Effects
Travelers at Newark Liberty International Airport are facing a second week of major disruptions, as hundreds of flight delays and cancellations continue to plague one of the nation's busiest air hubs.
According to FlightAware, hundreds of flights were impacted over the weekend, and Monday brought no relief. The issue, according to United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, stems from long-standing understaffing at Newark’s air traffic control facility—a problem he called “chronic.” Kirby also cited a recent walkout, which he said saw 20% of the airport’s air traffic controllers leave the job. United is now canceling 35 flights daily out of Newark, saying the airport cannot handle its current flight volume in the weeks ahead.
However, the union representing air traffic controllers disputes claims of a walkout. They say that on April 28, controllers temporarily lost radar and communication capabilities due to equipment failure. Some controllers have since taken leave under the Federal Employees Compensation Act, citing job-related trauma.
Former Transportation Department Inspector General Mary Schiavo says this crisis has been building for years, adding that air traffic systems across the country use inconsistent, outdated technology. Former FAA Safety Inspector David Soucie echoed concerns, noting controllers have been working 60-hour weeks for years.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, speaking in Newark over the weekend, acknowledged the deep-rooted issues, pointing to runway construction, outdated equipment, and a broader lack of infrastructure investment. But he pledged that big upgrades are coming, including fiber lines, new radar systems, ground sensors, and updated radios.
“These changes are coming,” Duffy said. “But it will take time.”
Travelers say that’s time they may not have. “I have a lot of travel coming up,” one passenger told NBC. “Hopefully they can resolve this quickly.”
Meanwhile, a major travel deadline is approaching: starting Wednesday, all U.S. passengers flying domestically must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license—typically marked with a star in the upper right corner. Without one, passengers will need to show a passport or another TSA-approved document.
Story Credit: CNN Newsource
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By: NBC Palm Springs
May 5, 2025
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