United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has expressed his support for the return of slot controls at Newark Liberty International Airport in an op-ed for Fox News. According to Kirby, the recent flight delays at the airport due to runway construction, air traffic controller shortages, and other issues have highlighted the need for stricter regulations to manage air traffic flow.

With United operating 75% of all flights at Newark Airport, the airline has been forced to scale back its summer flight schedule in response to the delays. However, since Newark is not a “Level 3” airport with slot controls like LaGuardia and JFK, other airlines have the freedom to add or remove flights as they please, leading to a potential overcrowding issue.

In his op-ed, Kirby argues that the solution to this problem is to reintroduce slot controls at Newark, giving the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the authority to designate the airport as a Level 3 airport. He also highlights the need for modernization and investment in the air traffic control system, which he believes will take time to implement.

Kirby points to operational data from 2017-2019 and 2022-2025 to support his argument, showing an increase in flight cancellations and delays since the removal of slot controls in 2016. He also clarifies that United has reduced its presence at Newark since 2016, meaning that other airlines are also contributing to the congestion issue.

While Kirby’s argument may seem self-serving, he insists that the return