Flight operations at Newark Liberty International Airport experienced major disruptions over the weekend after a series of equipment failures and persistent staffing shortages led to cancellations and delays.
Nearly 80 flights were canceled and more than 40 delayed as of Sunday morning, according to officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a 45-minute ground stop at Newark on Sunday following an equipment outage at the airport’s air traffic control facility, WABC reported.
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The ground stop halted all incoming and outgoing flights during that time.
The Sunday disruption followed a radar malfunction that occurred on Friday morning, which had already brought the airport’s operations to a brief standstill.
These back-to-back issues have added pressure to an already strained system, particularly at one of the busiest airports in the New York City region.
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In a Sunday appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that a broader reduction in flight activity at Newark is now expected to last for several weeks.
The decision follows ongoing concerns over a shortage of air traffic controllers, which has compounded the airport’s operational challenges.
“We want to have a number of flights that if you book your flight, you know it’s going to fly, right?” Duffy said, emphasizing the goal of improving reliability even if it means fewer flights are scheduled in the short term.
.@SecDuffy on the air traffic control issues at Newark airport: “The system is old. This is a system that is 25 — at best — sometimes 50 years old … We HAVE to fix this.” pic.twitter.com/VvtpCLceTX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 11, 2025
Duffy also said the Department of Transportation is planning to convene a meeting this week with all airlines operating out of Newark Liberty International Airport to finalize the scope of the reduction in service.
The meeting is expected to include input from major carriers on how to manage the coming schedule adjustments.
United Airlines is the dominant carrier at Newark, operating approximately 75 percent of the airport’s air traffic.
The airline has not yet issued a detailed response to the expected flight reductions, but any schedule changes are likely to have a significant impact on travelers throughout the Northeast.
The FAA has not released a timeline for when the technical issues at the air traffic control facility will be fully resolved.
In the meantime, passengers using Newark are advised to check flight statuses regularly and prepare for potential schedule changes.
Sunday’s incident adds to growing concerns about systemic issues in the nation’s air travel infrastructure, particularly at high-traffic locations such as Newark.
The airport is one of the busiest in the United States, serving as a major hub not only for domestic travel but also for international routes.
With summer travel season approaching, the disruptions could affect thousands of travelers unless corrective measures are implemented swiftly.
The outcome of this week’s scheduled meeting with airline operators is expected to clarify the extent of the flight reductions and any steps being taken to avoid future equipment-related delays.
Newark Airport is a total disaster right now. Most dangerous airport in USA.
Instead of attending to this matter, the Mayor of Newark has decided to storm an ICE facility and get arrested today.
Democrats won’t win nationally for 50 years at this rate. pic.twitter.com/HvZfxzFvGV
— Mike Crispi (@MikeCrispi) May 9, 2025
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