United Slashes Newark Flights as FAA Staffing Crisis Triggers Major Operational Disruptions

United Airlines announced it will cancel 35 roundtrip flights daily—about 10% of its schedule—at Newark Liberty International Airport due to severe and persistent delays. The decision follows a week of operational chaos that left thousands of passengers stranded. CEO Scott Kirby attributed the disruptions to chronic staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and recent technology issues within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Air Traffic Controller Shortage Strains Newark Operations, United Calls for Capacity Restrictions

According to Kirby, around 20% of air traffic controllers responsible for Newark’s airspace “walked off the job” recently, further straining an already understaffed system. He emphasized that the FAA itself has acknowledged that Newark cannot handle its current flight volume under the current conditions. The agency confirmed Friday that staffing issues were causing delays at the airport, which is among the most congested in the U.S.

In response to the worsening situation, United is now urging the FAA to impose tighter capacity controls at Newark, similar to those at other busy airports like LaGuardia and Reagan National. The FAA had previously reassigned some Newark airspace responsibilities to a Philadelphia facility in an attempt to ease congestion. However, delays continue to mount, and the FAA has not yet responded publicly to United’s latest concerns.

Duffy Urges Air System Overhaul as United Offers Relief, Seeks Long-Term Staffing Fixes

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the FAA’s technological shortcomings in a social media post, calling for an “all-new air traffic control system” after visiting the Philadelphia facility. While the air traffic controllers’ union has remained silent, Kirby praised the Trump administration’s efforts to address these issues and called for further investment in modernizing the nation’s air traffic control infrastructure.

As the crisis unfolds, United is offering waived change fees and fare differences for affected customers. The airline had previously cut back its Newark schedule due to similar challenges, including staffing gaps and weather-related delays. Meanwhile, the Transportation Department has introduced new incentives aimed at recruiting and retaining air traffic controllers, a long-standing issue exacerbated by the pandemic.