Acute ATC shortages causing disruptions at Newark for travelers

WASHINGTON, D.C.: United Airlines said this week that an acute shortage of air traffic controllers was causing "significant disruption" for travelers at its busy Newark, New Jersey, hub outside of New York City.

United Airlines reported that staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have disrupted operations at Newark Liberty International Airport on 12 of the first 25 days of November. These issues have caused delays, cancellations, extended taxi times, and longer flight durations, affecting over 343,000 passengers.

On November 15 alone, air traffic control staffing shortages led to flight cancellations impacting 1,880 United customers, while gate and other delays affected an additional 24,558 passengers.

In response, the FAA acknowledged the long-standing challenge of staffing shortages in Newark airspace, stating, "The FAA is addressing a decades-long issue of staffing and has been transparent with airlines and travelers about our plan."

United's remarks come as Thanksgiving air travel reaches record levels, underscoring the need for urgent solutions. "This highlights the imperative for the FAA to rebuild staffing levels so travelers can rely on safe, efficient air travel," the airline said in a statement.

Concerns about U.S. aviation safety have grown in recent years due to a series of near-miss incidents and the strain on understaffed air traffic control centers. Last month, following several close calls, the FAA announced an audit into runway incursion risks at the 45 busiest U.S. airports.

In July, the FAA relocated 17 air traffic controllers from New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), also known as N90, to Philadelphia to address staffing challenges. N90 is among the busiest air traffic control facilities in the country. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker explained last week that this move helped reduce delays by easing pressure on New York operations and improving staffing in Philadelphia.

Despite these measures, the FAA continues to face significant staffing challenges. The agency currently employs about 10,700 certified air traffic controllers-approximately 3,000 short of its target. Many controllers have been working six-day weeks to compensate for the shortages.

In June, the FAA extended reduced minimum flight requirements at congested New York-area airports through October 2025, citing insufficient staffing to handle normal traffic levels. The strain on air traffic control, particularly in the New York region, remains a critical issue as holiday travel surges.