Sean Duffy Plans To Cut Flights at Newark Liberty International Airport Temporarily

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced plans to reduce flights at Newark Liberty International Airport amid persistent air traffic control equipment failures and staffing shortages.

Quick Takes

Newark Liberty International Airport experienced its third system outage in less than two weeks, causing widespread delays and cancellations.
Transportation Secretary Duffy will temporarily reduce flight capacity at Newark to address ongoing equipment and staffing issues.
Outdated air traffic control equipment is so obsolete that replacement parts are often sourced from eBay, Duffy said.
A direct communication line from Newark to Philadelphia TRACON is being built to improve air traffic management.
Duffy proposes extending controller retirement age from 56 to 61 and offering 20% retention bonuses to address staffing shortages.

Persistent System Failures Plague Newark Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport has been grappling with serious operational challenges, experiencing its third equipment outage in less than two weeks over the weekend. The latest incident involved a momentary failure of a backup air traffic control system, resulting in a 45-minute ground stop that was implemented to ensure system functionality. This disruption led to over 250 flight delays and at least 80 cancellations, further frustrating travelers who were already dealing with a pattern of unreliable service at one of the nation’s busiest airports. The recurring technical issues have raised significant concerns about the reliability of critical aviation infrastructure at Newark.

The recent outages stem from telecommunications problems affecting radar and communications systems that are vital for safe air travel. In addition to these technical failures, Newark is also suffering from air traffic controller staffing shortages. While officials maintain that flights remain safe despite these challenges, the combination of outdated equipment and personnel deficiencies has created a perfect storm of operational difficulties that threaten the airport’s ability to maintain regular flight schedules. Without immediate intervention, these issues could potentially worsen and affect other major airports.

Newark Liberty Airport suffers third system outage in less than 2 weeks, impacting hundreds of flights https://t.co/cNDGVHPpXD

— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 12, 2025

Duffy’s Plan to Reduce Flight Operations

In response to these ongoing challenges, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has revealed a plan to address the situation. According to him, his strategy involves temporarily reducing the number of flights at Newark over the next several weeks. This measure aims to decrease pressure on the existing air traffic control systems and personnel while permanent solutions are implemented. Duffy is organizing a meeting with all airlines serving Newark to reach an agreement on capacity reduction

“We’re going to have this reduced capacity at Newark. I’m convening a meeting of all the airlines that serve Newark, get them to agree on how they’re gonna reduce the capacity,” Duffy stated.

Duffy indicated a key infrastructure improvement involves constructing a new direct communication line from Newark to the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which manages New York airspace. Currently, communications must first go through another facility (N90) before reaching Philadelphia, an inefficient routing that complicates airspace management. The direct line aims to streamline communications and potentially reduce the likelihood of system failures.

Addressing Aging Equipment and Staffing Shortages

The alarming state of air traffic control equipment at Newark reflects a broader national problem. Duffy has expressed serious concerns about the outdated equipment across the United States, saying that the systems are so obsolete that replacement parts often need to be sourced from eBay.

Compounding the equipment issues is a significant shortage of air traffic controllers, a problem exacerbated by training disruptions during the 2020 health emergency. To combat this staffing crisis, Duffy has proposed extending the mandatory retirement age for controllers from 56 to 61 years, which would retain experienced personnel who would otherwise be forced to leave the profession. Additionally, he plans to offer a 20% upfront bonus as an incentive for controllers to remain in their positions rather than retire. These measures aim to stabilize the workforce while the FAA works to recruit and train new controllers to meet future needs.