Charles Esther
United Airlines has announced that it will be canceling 35 daily round-trip flights to and from Newark Liberty International Airport due to an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers.
CEO Scott Kirby Blames Staffing Shortages for Cancellations
In a letter sent to customers, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stated that Newark’s air traffic control system is unable to handle the volume of flights scheduled in the upcoming weeks and months.
“Newark Cannot Handle the Scheduled Flight Volume”
Kirby explained, “Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead.” He further emphasized that this action was necessary to protect customers and avoid further travel disruptions.
The Impact of Air Traffic Control Issues
Recent issues at Newark Liberty International Airport have highlighted ongoing staffing shortages within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These shortages have led to air traffic control challenges that caused dozens of flights to be diverted, along with numerous delays and cancellations.
The Root Cause of the Crisis: Staff Shortages and Infrastructure Strain
The shortage of air traffic controllers has led to what Kirby described as “a chronically understaffed” facility, which has exacerbated delays. United Airlines operates around 300 daily round-trip flights on average, many of which are now impacted by the ongoing challenges.
United Pushes for “Level 3” Status at Newark
For years, United Airlines has advocated for Newark to be reclassified as a “Level 3” airport. This designation would allow the FAA to impose limits on the number of scheduled flights based on the airport’s infrastructure and capacity.
FAA Staffing Crisis and Future Solutions
Several factors have contributed to the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers, including a pause in training during the COVID-19 pandemic and the FAA’s struggles to address staffing issues.
A 2023 Department of Transportation report highlighted the risks posed by the ongoing staffing crisis, with the FAA lacking a solid plan to address the issue.
New FAA Plans to Address the Shortage
In response to the crisis, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced a new initiative to hire 2,000 new air traffic controllers in 2024. This plan includes financial incentives for academy graduates assigned to hard-to-staff facilities.
United Airlines’ Plans for Reducing Delays
In March, United Airlines unveiled a three-point plan to tackle delays, which focuses on investments in staffing, technology, and infrastructure.
FAA’s Efforts to Improve Air Traffic Control System
Duffy emphasized the importance of modernizing the air traffic control system and stated, “Today’s actions will supercharge the air traffic controller workforce.”
Conclusion
The ongoing staffing shortages at Newark Liberty International Airport have caused major disruptions, and while efforts are underway to address the issue, air travelers can expect more challenges in the near future.
