United Airlines airplanes proceed to a runway at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, Latest Jersey, on Feb. 20, 2025.
Gary Hershorn | Corbis News | Getty Images
United Airlines plans to chop 35 flights a day at Newark Liberty International Airport in Latest Jersey after 1000’s of passengers faced hourslong delays this week, CEO Scott Kirby said Friday, blaming the disruptions on air traffic controller staffing shortages and technology problems.
Greater than 300 flights out and in of Newark were delayed as of Friday afternoon, adding to greater than 1,400 other delays and cancellations earlier this week, in response to flight-tracking site FlightAware.
“It’s disappointing to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but since there isn’t any strategy to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there isn’t any other alternative with a purpose to protect our customers,” Kirby said in a note to customers on Friday.
United said Thursday that FAA technology outages, runway construction and high winds led to the disruptions, forcing it to divert at the least 21 flights.
United Airlines passengers faced hourslong delays again Friday as air traffic controller staffing issues disrupted more flights on the carrier’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport in Latest Jersey.
An FAA advisory said staffing was the issue on Friday. The agency didn’t immediately comment.
Newark is one of the crucial congested airports within the country, and Kirby has repeatedly complained about shortfalls of air traffic controllers.
The Transportation Department on Thursday offered a brand new slate of incentives to assist alleviate staffing shortages of air traffic controllers, an issue that has continued for years and worsened during training pauses amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
United Airlines said it will waive change fees or fare differences for patrons affected by the Newark disruptions.
