Staffing shortages and construction lead to another day of delays at Newark Airport

On Friday, Newark Liberty International Airport was thrown into chaos once again, as staffing shortages, ongoing construction, and equipment malfunctions by the FAA contributed to serious delays affecting a quarter of all departing flights. Reports indicate that delays were less severe in the evening, with wait times averaging under an hour compared to the five-plus hours faced the previous day. Despite a slight improvement, passengers remained frustrated as the Port Authority confirmed that flight delays exceeding an hour and a half persisted into the evening. Passengers faced the daunting task of navigating a series of problems arising from a ground delay program that affected all lower-48 states flights until almost midnight Friday. In total, nearly 180 flights were canceled over a 24-hour span as the transportation hub struggled to cope with a backlog of travelers, capping off what many have described as a week of misery at the airport. A spokesperson for the Port Authority pointed out that billions have been invested to modernize Newark Liberty; however, the benefits of these improvements hinge on a fully staffed and advanced federal air traffic system. The spokesperson urged the FAA to prioritize staffing and technology upgrades that continue to hinder operations in one of the nation’s busiest air corridors. The chaos at Newark follows an extensive delay on Thursday, where average arrival times were delayed by five hours, as the FAA dealt with equipment issues at its Philadelphia TRACON center, which manages airspace around Newark. JP Tristani, an aviation expert, warned that the situation could worsen as more tourists flock to the airport during the summer season. The combination of the FAA's technical failures, depletion of air traffic controllers, and runway construction further complicates Newark's operational capabilities. Adding to the pressure, United Airlines announced that it would cancel 35 round-trip flights each day at Newark due to the ongoing issues stemming from air traffic control staffing shortages. CEO Scott Kirby expressed disappointment in having to cut back on an already reduced flight schedule, underscoring that the staff shortage is a long-standing issue that has finally reached a breaking point. With 20% of air traffic controllers reportedly walking off the job, the remaining staff struggle to manage the number of scheduled flights. In a bid to alleviate the situation in the long term, Kirby urged federal authorities to consider designating Newark as a slot-controlled Level 3 airport which would limit the number of flights scheduled and help stabilize operations amidst chronic under-staffing and unaddressed technology issues. This series of setbacks not only creates inconvenient travel experiences for passengers but poses a risk to the functionality of a vital transportation hub in the heart of New Jersey. Without immediate intervention from authorities, airline executives, and FAA management, Newark Liberty may continue to struggle under the strain of inadequate personnel and infrastructural support, raising concerns about operational integrity during peak travel seasons.