FAA to Meet with Airlines Over Newark Airport Flight Reductions

On May 9, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced plans to convene with major U.S. airlines to discuss temporary flight reductions at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This decision follows a series of operational disruptions, including a recent 90-second radar and communications outage at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, which manages Newark’s airspace.

The outage, occurring at 3:55 a.m. on May 9, marked the second such incident in two weeks, exacerbating existing challenges at EWR. Contributing factors include ongoing runway construction, equipment malfunctions, and significant staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. United Airlines, the airport’s primary carrier, has already reduced its daily flights by 10%, now operating 293 flights compared to a historical peak of 440.

In response to these issues, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a multi-billion-dollar plan to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system. The proposed upgrades aim to replace outdated infrastructure with advanced technologies, including new fiber-optic data lines and modern radar systems, to enhance safety and efficiency.

The FAA is also considering implementing hourly arrival caps at Newark to manage congestion, proposing limits of 28 arrivals per hour during ongoing construction, increasing to 34 post-construction.

The upcoming meetings between the FAA and airline representatives are scheduled for May 14 and 15, 2025, aiming to develop collaborative strategies to mitigate delays and improve operational stability at Newark Liberty International Airport.