Photo: KENA BETANCUR / AFP / Getty Images
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is meeting with major airlines today to address ongoing flight disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport. The meeting, announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, aims to reduce the number of daily takeoffs and landings due to an air traffic controller shortage and equipment issues.
Newark Airport has faced over two weeks of delays and cancellations, largely due to staffing shortages at a Philadelphia facility that manages flights to and from Newark. Currently, only 24 out of 38 required air traffic control positions are filled. Additionally, runway construction has contributed to an average of 34 cancellations per day and significant delays.
The FAA has proposed limiting flights to 28 domestic arrivals and departures per hour until the runway construction is completed on June 15. The agency is also considering an order to limit schedules at the airport, asking airlines to propose specific flight reductions or schedule modifications. United Airlines, which operates a hub at Newark, has suggested implementing assigned "slots" for flights, requiring government approval.
The FAA's goal is to manage the number of flights at Newark to prevent families from experiencing long delays. International flights will be managed separately from domestic operations.