Last week, Newark Liberty International Airport flew to Newark Liberty International Airport, causing a lot of pain, canceling five-hour delays and extending the flight, while the shift in flight left travelers far away from their destination.
Passengers reported on social media that they missed the flight and spent hours stuck on the apron on the plane. Some are still working on new travel arrangements.
Those interruptions stretched through Friday, with an average of more than two hours of delays highlighting the ongoing air traffic control personnel. These troubles prompted Newark’s largest airline, Newark Airlines, to create nearly three dozen round trips at the hub that started this weekend.
This is something anyone heading to Newark Airport needs to know.
Air traffic control personnel are limited in capacity
Last summer, management of the airspace around Newark moved from New York to Philadelphia. The move involved relocation of at least 12 air traffic controllers, aiming to alleviate air traffic delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration attributed this week’s flight disruption in Newark to equipment failures and unspecified staffing issues at the Philadelphia Air Traffic Control Center, as well as construction on one of Newark’s runways.
Aidan O’Donnell, general manager of the New York and New Jersey Port Authority, said the ongoing personnel handling the issue “effectively limits Newark Airport’s capabilities.”
New York and LaGuardia other major airports are managed by the New York Control Center.
One of the runways in Newark has been closed
One of the airport’s three runways was closed on April 15 for rehabilitation and restoration, and is scheduled to reopen in mid-June.
Mr O’Donnell said it was a “very conventional construction project” and the airport has made extensive preparations for this, such as measures such as scheduling fewer flights during this period.
Odonel said that while the airport has two remaining open runways, the FAA was underutilized for one during the closure. He added: “When we only have one runway available, we landed and set out on the same runway at the same time, which is the lowest efficiency that can incorporate traffic into Newark.”
The airport has over 1,000 scheduled arrivals and departures every day, most of which are operated by United.
The wave of destruction that began Monday will only intensify
A FAA spokesman said the Philadelphia Control Center experienced telecommunications and equipment issues on Monday. O’Donnell said this led to hundreds of delays and cancellations and thirty mavericks transfers. He added that on Monday afternoon, no flights depart or landed from Newark.
The disruption lasted through the week as Philadelphia’s shortage worsened. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a letter to clients that more than 20% of the air traffic controllers in charge of Newark’s “leave work” this week.
Mr Kirby added that the staff shortage at the Philadelphia Control Center has been a problem for years.
A spokesperson for the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers declined to comment.
The problem may last for weeks or months
Mr O’Donnell warned that the next few weeks could be challenging.
Massive flight delays and cancellations can take several days to resolve when airline navigation brings passengers, crew and aircraft back on track. United and JetBlue both issued exemptions that allow passengers to rebook without incurring additional fees.
Starting this weekend, Manchester United will cut 35 times from its Newark schedule’s average 328 round trips per day. The airport is one of the airline’s seven hubs and is a key portal to Europe, India and the Middle East.
“Without enough controllers, Newark Airport will not be able to handle the number of aircraft planned to operate here in weeks and months,” Kirby said.
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