Newark Airport Aims for Smoother Skies After Weeks of Disruptions

Newark Liberty International Airport is working to recover from weeks of operational challenges, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announcing measures designed to improve air traffic flow as the busy summer travel season approaches. While not fully back to normal, conditions at Newark appear to be improving, particularly compared to the previous week.

The airport has experienced significant disruptions since April 28, triggered by a temporary radio and radar outage that briefly impaired communication between controllers and incoming flights. This initial incident had a ripple effect, contributing to subsequent problems. Several controllers who were on duty during the outage have since taken trauma leave, adding to staffing challenges.

Compounding the situation, poor weather conditions, ongoing runway construction, and uncertainty surrounding the reliability of the technology used by air traffic controllers have all played a role in creating a difficult operating environment. These factors have combined to produce significant delays and cancellations for passengers.

According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, Newark experienced a substantial number of cancellations on Tuesday, with 69 departures and 81 arrivals grounded. In addition, a ground delay program was implemented, affecting more than 200 incoming flights. This meant that those flights were held at their departure airports or delayed before takeoff in an effort to manage congestion at Newark.

As of Wednesday, however, the situation appeared to be improving. The number of cancellations and delays seemed to be lower than the previous day. Notably, the FAA had not instituted a ground delay program for Newark as of 12:30 p.m. ET, suggesting that the agency was cautiously optimistic about the day’s operations.

The FAA has acknowledged the challenges and announced a series of steps aimed at mitigating the issues and improving reliability at Newark. In a press release, the agency stated that it has been actively managing traffic flow into and out of Newark due to both runway construction at the airport and ongoing staffing and technology issues at Philadelphia TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control). Philadelphia TRACON is the facility responsible for guiding aircraft in and out of the airport’s airspace.

The FAA emphasized that it is taking immediate action to improve operations at Newark Liberty International Airport, which includes accelerating technological and logistical improvements, as well as increasing air traffic controller staffing. These efforts are designed to address the root causes of the recent disruptions and create a more stable and predictable operating environment.

The statement elaborated on the complexities of the air traffic control system serving Newark. Radar data used by controllers to manage traffic to and from Newark is processed in New York by a system called STARS (Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System). However, the controllers themselves are based at the TRACON facility in Philadelphia. A critical component of this system is the telecommunications connection that transmits data between the STARS system in New York and the TRACON facility in Philadelphia. The failure of this telecommunications connection was a significant factor in the initial disruptions experienced at Newark.

To address these issues, the FAA outlined the following specific steps it plans to implement:

• Expedited Technology Upgrades: The FAA is prioritizing the acceleration of technological upgrades to improve the reliability and performance of the systems used by air traffic controllers. This includes enhancements to the STARS system and the telecommunications infrastructure that supports it.
• Increased Staffing Support: The FAA is working to increase air traffic controller staffing levels at Philadelphia TRACON. This may involve transferring controllers from other facilities, hiring new controllers, or providing additional training to existing controllers.
• Enhanced Communication and Coordination: The FAA is emphasizing the importance of clear and consistent communication between air traffic controllers, airlines, and other stakeholders. This will help to ensure that everyone is aware of the latest conditions and any potential disruptions.
• Operational Adjustments: The FAA is prepared to make operational adjustments as needed to manage traffic flow and minimize delays. This may include temporarily reducing the number of flights allowed to arrive or depart from Newark during peak periods.

The statement includes a message from Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, which operates a major hub at Newark. Kirby acknowledged the recent equipment issues but reassured travelers that flying in general, and flights in and out of Newark in particular, remain safe. He emphasized that when the FAA encounters issues such as technology outages or staffing shortages, it requires all airlines to slow down aircraft or cancel flights in order to maintain the highest levels of safety.

Despite this assurance, Kirby also used the opportunity to express his concerns about the FAA’s management of air traffic volume at Newark. He argued that the FAA regularly approves schedules with more flights than the airport can realistically handle, even under ideal conditions.

Kirby stated that the FAA tells United that Newark can only handle 77 flights per hour in ideal weather, with full staffing, and perfectly functioning technology. Yet, the FAA regularly approves schedules of 80 or more flights per hour between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This, he said, is a recipe for gridlock, especially when weather, staffing issues, or technology breakdowns occur. Kirby urged the FAA to institute more rigorous controls on traffic volumes at Newark to prevent future disruptions. His argument is that the current scheduling allows for very little margin of error, and when any problem arises, the entire system quickly becomes overwhelmed.

Zach Wichter, a travel reporter for USA TODAY, writes the Cruising Altitude column.