Newark Airport in Turmoil: United Airlines Slashes Flights Amid FAA Staff Shortage and System Failures

Newark Airport in Turmoil: United Airlines Slashes Flights Amid FAA Staff Shortage and System Failures

Newark Liberty International Airport is facing a major travel crisis as United Airlines cancels 35 daily round-trip flights—roughly 10% of its schedule—due to a perfect storm of staffing shortages, outdated FAA systems, and ongoing runway construction.

Over the weekend, chaos unfolded at the busy New Jersey hub. Reports confirmed more than 20% of the airport’s air traffic controllers walked off the job, forcing delays and cancellations to spike. As of Sunday evening, at least 378 flights were delayed and another 130 were canceled. Some incoming flights were held up by more than six hours.

In addition to understaffing, the Federal Aviation Administration is also grappling with technical system failures that have made real-time coordination even more difficult. The situation has pushed United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to urge the FAA to reclassify Newark as a Level 3 slot-controlled airport—a move that would cap the number of takeoffs and landings to match available resources and reduce congestion.

The Department of Transportation responded by announcing plans to hire 2,000 new air traffic controllers in 2025. To attract talent and retain staff, the DOT is offering incentives including pay raises and bonuses. However, experts warn it could take years for the workforce to stabilize.

This is not the first time Newark has struggled with flight management, but the convergence of multiple crises at once—labor shortages, system inefficiencies, and infrastructure upgrades—has pushed the airport to a breaking point. Passengers are being urged to check with their airlines before traveling and consider alternative airports or transit plans.

Sources:

• CNN – United Airlines cuts Newark flights

• CBS News

• The Guardian

• People

• Business Insider