FAA Decreases Flights at Newark Airport Due to Delays and Construction
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an order to decrease the number of arrivals and departures at Newark Liberty International Airport. This comes after weeks of delays caused by air traffic controller staffing shortages and ongoing runway construction.
The order, which went into effect immediately, limits the number of planes allowed to take off and land at the airport to 56 per hour while the runway work is ongoing. This renovation project is scheduled to continue daily until June 15th, and then on Saturdays through the end of the year.
During times when construction is not taking place, the FAA will permit 68 arrivals and departures per hour until October 25th.
Acting FAA administrator Christopher Rocheleau stated, “Our goal is to relieve the substantial inconvenience to the traveling public from excessive flight delays due to construction, staffing challenges, and recent equipment issues, which magnify as they spread through the National Airspace System.
Initially, the FAA had planned for 77 total arrivals and departures at Newark airport per hour. However, due to the start of construction on April 15th, they requested that airlines reduce this number to 70 during the day and 62 during specific hours in the late afternoons and evenings.
This decision to cut flights follows a three-day “delay reduction meeting” held in Washington with airlines, the FAA, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark airport.
The FAA also mentioned that they will update the flight numbers if there is capacity to accommodate more flights without a significant increase in delays. However, they also stated that further flight reductions may be necessary.
Aside from runway construction, Newark airport has also been affected by a staffing shortage and telecommunications problems. The air traffic control facility responsible for managing flights at the airport has a target of 38 “certified professional controllers,” but currently only has 24 on staff, according to the FAA’s order.
This staffing rate of 63% took a hit on April 28th when there was a 30-second loss of radio communications and a 90-second blackout on radar during a busy afternoon. As a result, five workers took a 45-day trauma leave.
Since then, the facility has experienced additional telecommunication outages. However, the FAA has stated that they have plans in place to address these issues, including installing new high-bandwidth telecommunications connections, replacing copper lines, and increasing staffing at the facility.
In conclusion, the FAA’s order to decrease flights at Newark airport is an effort to alleviate the significant delays and inconvenience experienced by travelers due to construction, staffing shortages, and telecommunications problems.