Newark, New Jersey — Newark Liberty International Airport is facing significant disruptions, with hundreds of flights delayed or canceled due to ongoing construction and staffing shortages. As reports indicate, the chaos began escalating this week, affecting countless travelers eager to reach their destinations.
By Thursday evening, more than 400 flights had been delayed and over 200 canceled. The situation persisted into Friday morning, with approximately 170 flights still facing delays, alongside 18 cancellations. These setbacks are largely attributed to a shortage of air traffic controllers, compounded by essential resurfacing work on one of the airport’s three runways.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that operations at Newark are being slowed down to accommodate the runway project and staffing challenges at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, which manages traffic to and from the airport. Travelers inside Terminal B could be seen checking departure boards anxiously, juggling their phones and laptops as they attempted to rebook missed flights.
As frustration mounted among passengers, many managed to secure new bookings without incurring additional fees. The ripple effects of the airport delays are considerable, as travelers have reported being stranded in various cities or forced to circle in holding patterns for hours, a situation exacerbated by a prior ground stop on Monday linked to an equipment issue.
In light of these challenges, airport officials are urging travelers to stay updated on their flight statuses and allow for extra time when heading to the airport. The combination of runway work and limited staffing has created a perfect storm, impacting not just Newark Liberty but potentially other airports as well, depending on traffic flow and coordination.
Travelers are advised to consider alternate routing or potentially flexible travel dates to avoid the backlog. As Newark Liberty International Airport strives to return to normal operations, those planning to fly should remain informed about evolving conditions, particularly as construction progresses and staffing levels improve.
With this ongoing disruption, the window to travel smoothly may remain narrow in the short term. Observers suggest that proactive measures by both airlines and airport management will be crucial in alleviating the strain on operations and restoring timely service for travelers.