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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing to extend its June 2025 order that limits the number scheduled flights at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in an effort to reduce congestion, delays, and cancellations. The revised order would remain in effect until October 24, 2026 and only slightly increase the current hourly limits on flights.
The original order followed significant operational disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This was driven by air traffic controller shortages, runway construction, congestion, and other telecommunication issues. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the airlines serving Newark met in May 2025 and the FAA implemented strict scheduling limits there to help stabilize operations.
The current operations allows for the following:
- During runway construction (typically Saturdays through December 31, 2025) there is a limit of 28 arrivals and 28 departures per hour.
- Outside of construction periods, there is a limit of 34 arrivals and 34 departures per hour until October 25, 2025.
These limits represent a reduction from Newark’s historical flight schedules, which were around 40 per hour.
The FAA now plans to extend the order through October 24, 2026. During this time it will increase the non-construction limit to 36 arrivals and 36 departures per hour.
The new limits would apply during:
- Winter 2025/2026 season (October 26, 2025 to March 28, 2026)
- Summer 2026 season (March 29, 2026 to Oct. 24, 2026)
Runway construction-related limits of 28 arrivals and 28 departures per hour would remain in place during affected Saturdays.
Air traffic control for the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) was transferred to the Philadelphia TRACON (PHL) in 2024. Staffing levels there remain well below target (only 48% staffed for controllers overseeing Newark’s airspace). While some personnel are expected to return to the New York TRACON (N90) in 2026, training replacements will take time.
Since the June 2025 order took effect, operational capacity at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has not significantly increased beyond the current 34/34 hourly limit. The FAA warns that without an extension, staffing-related delays could return, especially with demand expected to surge in summer 2026 due to major events like the FIFA World Cup and America250 celebrations.
Anthony’s Take: It’s great to see this still being evaluated and that the FAA is working to ensure that passengers don’t see past meltdowns with significant delays and cancellations.
(Featured Image Credit: Metro Airport News.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
1 comment
I guess that’s easier than fixing the ATAC system. I thought the Trump Administration might be a breath of fresh air at FAA but really it’s just the same old stuff.