The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began its meeting with major airlines on Wednesday to explore solutions for cutting down on flight delays and excessive scheduling during peak travel times at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Wednesday’s meeting follows more than two weeks of widespread delays at Newark, caused by a combination of factors such as a shortage of air traffic controllers, runway work, and chronic congestion.
The FAA said that several persistent issues are contributing to the delays at Newark (EWR) in addition to the air traffic controller shortage — including the ongoing closure of Runway 4L/22R for construction, longstanding congestion problems, and outdated infrastructure. To address staffing shortages, the FAA has launched various incentive programs and expanded training initiatives to boost the number of air traffic controllers.
In a statement, the FAA acknowledged that Newark (EWR) remains “one of the nation’s most delay-prone airports.” For example, since July 2024, the Newark-area air traffic control facility has been operating below required staffing levels. While the facility is supposed to have 38 certified professional controllers (CPCs), only 24 are currently on duty. Similarly, the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (which manages Newark’s airspace) is operating with 82 CPCs, significantly below its target of 114.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized during a recent press briefing the need for practical solutions to reduce passenger frustrations. “The objective is simple — we need a realistic number of flights arriving at Newark. Families shouldn’t be stuck at the airport for four or five hours waiting for a flight that won’t depart.” Duffy announced on May 8 a major overhaul of the country’s air traffic control infrastructure: “we are taking advantage of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design and implement a completely modern air traffic control system.”
The FAA noted that Newark’s delays are further complicated by the dense volume of flights in and out of the broader New York City area. The interwoven airspace of Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia airports creates added pressure, especially when facilities like N90 (New York TRACON) are short-staffed.
These delays are expected to persist, with current FAA data revealing that average delays at Newark are around 85 minutes by 7 a.m. and can grow to as long as 137 minutes by late afternoon. Given these conditions, the FAA plans to recommend limiting flight operations to a maximum of 28 arrivals and 28 departures per hour. This cap of 56 total movements per hour would remain in effect until runway construction is completed.
The FAA stated, citing their operational analysis, that “the airport clearly cannot handle the current volume of scheduled flights …The proposed restrictions aim to ease congestion and improve reliability for travelers during this challenging period.”
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