Newark Airport is a Mess With Air Traffic Controllers Walking Off the Job and Cancelled Flights

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a mess these days much to the chagrin of its largest airline, United. Runway construction and an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers has made operations dicey with tons of delays and a bunch of cancellations.

I had planned a trip to Memphis for my aunt and uncle. They were supposed to depart today, but last night an email came informing us that it had been cancelled. United attempted to rebook them from paid First Class into Economy on a flight to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) late tonight with an onward connection tomorrow to Memphis International Airport (MEM). No, thanks. I rebooked them on a nonstop American flight from New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) instead.

This is not an isolated incident, but more a representation of United’s operational reliability at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) this week.

• Wednesday (4/30): 3% cancelled; 44% delayed
• Thursday (5/1): 18% canceled, 44% delayed
• Friday (5/2): 2% canceled; 47% delayed

Many United flyers are rightfully frustrated and its CEO, Scott Kirby, addressed the situation with this letter. It reads:

For many years, United has been very clear and vocal about the need to fix the Air Traffic Control system in EWR. While we enthusiastically support the efforts underway to permanently and structurally fix the FAA, the long-simmering FAA challenges boiled over this week.

 

In the past few days, on more than one occasion, technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed – resulting in dozens of diverted flights, hundreds of delayed and canceled flights and worst of all, thousands of customers with disrupted travel plans. Unfortunately, the technology issues were compounded as over 20% of the FAA controllers for EWR walked off the job. Keep in mind, this particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, it’s now clear – and the FAA tells us – that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead.

 

United is committed to doing absolutely everything in our power to minimize the impact that this will have on customers and so we are unilaterally cancelling 35 roundtrip flights per day from our Newark schedule starting this weekend. It’s disappointing to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers.

 

These challenges are not new to Newark. United has been urging the US government for *years* to use its authority to effectively limit the number of flights to what the airport can realistically handle. Past failure to make those changes had led to the circumstances that United and, most importantly, our customers now face.

 

I spoke with Sec. Duffy this afternoon and appreciate his immediate response to my call. We’re pleased that the new administration has put together a proposal for a large, systemwide investment in FAA technology, infrastructure and staffing. In the medium to long term, it’s the only way to solve the systemwide problem. Now, we’re encouraging them to apply this decisive leadership to the difficult situation they inherited at Newark, too – by designating it as a slot controlled, Level 3 airport.

 

Newark is an incredible airport and takes our customers to 76 different US cities and 81 international destinations. I want to thank the dedicated United team that’s been working hard – especially over the last few days – to take care of our customers at this difficult time. There are also highly skilled professionals at the FAA, including air traffic controllers, who are persevering through technology and staffing shortfalls to ensure that the tens of thousands of people traveling through Newark every day get to their destinations safely. By using the authority it has, the FAA can help Newark fulfill its incredible potential to be a safe, reliable and efficient gateway to the world for the American traveling public.”

Let’s break down the key points of what Kirby has shared here:

• United will cancel 35 roundtrip flights per day at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) for the foreseeable future (my aunt and uncle were unlucky here). This is around 10% of its schedule at the airport.
• Kirby wants EWR to become a Level 3 airport, which means it would be fully slot controlled. It was at this level until 2016, but that changed to increase competition at the airport.
• 20% of air traffic controllers walked off the job. That’s significant (especially since there is already a shortage).

This does not bode well for United’s New York (technically New Jersey) hub as we head into the summer. It’s also interesting to note Kirby’s continued pandering to the Trump administration here. He has made donations, praised tariffs, and continues to kiss up a bit. Whether this will impact his requests for Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or a possible JetBlue merger remain to be seen.

Anthony’s Take: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is kind of a mess (even more so than usual). With FAA shortages causing delays and cancellations, check your flights and get ready to make alternate plans as needed.

(Image Credits: United and Mimadeo via iStock.)