Newark, New Jersey — Travelers faced significant disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport over the weekend as a shortage of air traffic controllers contributed to widespread delays and cancellations. United Airlines announced on Saturday it would cut 35 daily flights from its Newark schedule, a decision that reflects ongoing challenges within the air traffic control system.
The airport, a major hub for United, has struggled with staffing issues exacerbated by what the airline’s CEO, Scott Kirby, described as “chronic understaffing” and repeated equipment failures. Over the past week, these problems, combined with some controllers leaving their posts, have resulted in severe operational difficulties. In a communication to customers, Kirby emphasized that the current number of controllers is insufficient for the traffic expected in the coming weeks and months.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), flight status reports indicated that the staffing shortcomings led to average delays nearing two hours and, in some cases, up to five hours for incoming flights on Saturday. Departures were also significantly affected, with travelers experiencing average delays of 45 minutes.
By the late afternoon, arrivals were averaging delays of more than three hours, although departures improved slightly to around 30 minutes. The ripple effect of these delays affected operations at other airports, with notable congestion reported in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami.
United Airlines, which operates the most flights from Newark, indicated that the reduction in their schedule—representing about 10% of their domestic round-trip flights—was necessary due to ongoing operational challenges. Officials at the airport cited both staffing shortages and construction work as contributing factors to the delays.
The Trump administration has acknowledged the staffing crisis and pledged to enhance the recruitment of air traffic controllers. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced new initiatives aimed at attracting fresh talent to the workforce while encouraging current controllers to remain on the job. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has expressed cautious optimism, recognizing the need for both workforce expansion and significant upgrades to aging technology.
Duffy met with controllers on Friday to address the equipment failures contributing to these operational challenges. United’s decision to scale back flights comes amid broader uncertainty in the aviation industry, as potential passengers weigh travel decisions against the backdrop of economic instability stemming from ongoing trade tensions.
As United connects Newark to 76 domestic cities and 81 international destinations, the airline’s adjustments to its flight schedule highlight a sensitive balancing act amidst a tumultuous operational landscape. Travelers are left to navigate not only the lengthy delays but also the uncertainty facing the airline industry as a whole.