Air Traffic Issues Plague Newark Airport as Calls for Action Intensify
Newark Liberty International Airport faced its ninth consecutive day of flight delays and cancellations on Tuesday, primarily affecting United Airlines, which has slashed 35 daily flights due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. The crisis was exacerbated when approximately 20% of the controllers at Newark walked off the job last week, citing equipment problems.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), a gubernatorial candidate, is urging the Trump administration to deploy additional controllers to address the staffing shortfall and has called for emergency funding to upgrade outdated systems. His remarks follow Governor Phil Murphy’s assertion that years of underinvestment in maintenance have led to a vulnerable air traffic control infrastructure.
Recent data revealed that over the past weekend, Newark saw 225 flight cancellations and more than 950 delays, prompting Gottheimer to emphasize the urgent need for technological upgrades at the airport. "We must immediately surge our investment to fix these technology issues," he stated.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the technological shortcomings yet affirmed that air travel remains safe. He is expected to announce a comprehensive plan for a new air traffic control system next week, highlighting ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis.
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