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Travelers at Newark Liberty International Airport are experiencing significant delays due to a combination of staffing shortages, equipment malfunctions, and runway construction. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), these issues have led to delays of up to four hours, though some improvement has been noted, with delays now averaging less than two hours.
On Thursday (May 1), the FAA issued a ground stop at the request of an airline due to equipment issues at Philadelphia TRACON, which manages airspace operations around Newark. The ground stop was lifted at 2:20 a.m., but delays persisted due to ongoing runway construction and staffing issues. Runway 4L-22R is undergoing a $121 million rehabilitation project, which is expected to last until mid-June.
As reported by NorthJersey.com, the FAA is working with Newark Airport and other stakeholders to manage the situation. A spokesperson for the Port Authority stated that the airport is closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with airline partners to support operations and assist affected passengers.
Travelers have taken to social media to express their frustration, with some reporting delays of over three hours. This is the second time this week that Newark Airport has faced such disruptions, with nearly 200 delays and at least 18 cancellations reported earlier in the week due to similar issues.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to unveil a plan next week aimed at revamping the nation's air traffic control system, which may address some of the underlying issues contributing to the current delays.