Key Takeaways
• FAA testified chronic staff shortages and technical failures drive Newark Liberty International Airport delays and cancellations.
• Philadelphia TRACON operates with 82 controllers, far below the 114 needed, elevating systemic safety and reliability concerns.
• FAA plans immediate fixes: new fiberoptic lines, extra staff, backup systems for Newark and Philadelphia to reduce disruption.
On May 14, 2025, the Senate Commerce Committee met to look closely at the many problems facing Newark Liberty International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sent its Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Franklin McIntosh, to explain what has been going on at the airport. The meeting came after many months of complaints about long delays, canceled flights, and disruptions that affected thousands of passengers.
This hearing did not just look at why these problems keep happening. Senators wanted real answers about what the FAA plans to do to fix the situation, how staffing and technology issues play a role, and what the path forward may look like for airlines, workers, and travelers.
Why the Senate Commerce Committee Held the Hearing
Passengers who fly through Newark Liberty International Airport know too well how frustrating the experience can be. Lines get long, flights are delayed, and sometimes, trips are canceled suddenly. These issues became so bad that the Senate Commerce Committee decided it was time to call in FAA leaders for public questioning. The committee wanted to find out:
- Why delays and cancellations keep happening at Newark Liberty International Airport
- What is being done to solve these issues
- How technology failures and staff shortages add to the problem
- What steps the FAA is taking to make sure things will get better
Bringing FAA officials before the committee put public pressure on the agency to be more open about the challenges and what steps they are taking to improve operations.
FAA Testifies: The Problem Runs Deep
At the hearing, Franklin McIntosh gave a clear picture of how serious the situation is at Newark Liberty International Airport right now. He said that the airport’s chronic troubles come from more than just crowded runways. Four big reasons were discussed:
- Chronic Staff Shortages
- Air traffic controllers guide planes safely on the ground and in the sky. Newark and nearby Philadelphia TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) both face staff shortages.
- At the Philadelphia TRACON, there are only 82 Certified Professional Controllers, even though the FAA says they need 114. That’s more than 25% below the needed number.
- Not having enough workers means each controller has more shifts and may be more tired, which can create safety risks and slow down how quickly planes can land or take off.
- Aging and Failing Equipment
- Modern air travel depends on complex computers and communication systems. At Newark, much of this equipment is old and needs to be replaced.
- There have been recent failures with the main telecommunications line—the core system that helps air traffic controllers talk to each other and to pilots. At one point, not only did the main system go down, but the backup system also failed to turn on. When this happens, planes get grounded until things are fixed, causing ripple-effect delays.
- Technical Troubles and Reliability Problems
- Newark Liberty International Airport has faced a string of technical failures. These include problems with radio, communication lines, and guiding systems, many of which rely on outdated copper connections instead of faster fiberoptic lines.
- These technical failures can lead to ground stops, where flights hold in place and passengers wait sometimes for hours.
- Delays from Outside Newark
- The problems are not all inside Newark’s walls. Staffing and technology issues at Philadelphia TRACON, which is responsible for guiding planes in and out of Newark, add another layer. If Philadelphia’s system isn’t working right or doesn’t have enough staff, that creates a bottleneck at Newark as well.
- Ongoing runway construction at Newark adds further delays and forces the FAA to “slow arrivals and departures,” as they have publicly acknowledged.
Key Facts from the Testimony
Franklin McIntosh and other officials at the hearing offered several important details:
- The FAA has been forced to “slow arrivals and departures at Newark Liberty International Airport due to runway construction at Newark and staffing and technology issues at Philadelphia TRACON.”
- The Philadelphia TRACON’s 82 controllers is far below its target staffing number of 114.
- A critical telecommunications failure—where both main and backup lines went down—helped fuel frustration and major ground delays.
These points make it clear that Newark’s problems are complex. It’s not just one problem, but a series of connected problems that make the airport a difficult place for passengers, airlines, and staff.
The Impact: Who Feels the Pain?
Many different groups feel the impact of these airport failures:
- Passengers: Travelers face long waits, missed connections, and sometimes canceled plans. These disruptions can mean added costs due to missed work or extra hotel stays.
- Airlines: Airlines operating at Newark Liberty International Airport must manage unhappy customers, rebook flights, and eat costs from delays. They also face challenges with reliable scheduling.
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Air Traffic Controllers: Staff face high stress from being understaffed and dealing with failing equipment. This can create safety issues if workers are stretched too thin or systems fail at key moments.
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Airport Businesses: Shops, restaurants, taxi drivers, and other businesses lose money when airport traffic slows down.
Immediate Steps From the FAA
After months of trouble and several public incidents, the FAA has promised to take action fast. They have announced several plans to fix the most urgent problems at Newark Liberty International Airport and at supporting facilities like Philadelphia TRACON. These steps include:
- Adding Three High-Bandwidth Telecommunications Lines
- The FAA said they will add three new, faster communication lines between New York’s STARS (Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System) and Philadelphia TRACON.
- These upgraded lines will help controllers talk and share information more quickly and reliably.
- Replacing Old Copper Wires With Fiberoptic Technology
- Old copper telephone and data lines are more likely to fail. The FAA will upgrade these to new fiberoptic cables, which are stronger and more reliable.
- Fiberoptic lines help to keep voice, radar, and computer systems running smoothly.
- Deploying a Temporary Backup System
- A backup system will be set up at Philadelphia TRACON to keep planes moving safely, even if the main line fails.
- Placing a STARS Hub at Philadelphia
- By setting up a new computer core (or “hub”) for the STARS system at Philadelphia, controllers there will not have to rely on telecommunications lines from New York. This means fewer points of failure.
- Hiring More Controllers
- The FAA promised to bring in more staff to help with the shortage at Philadelphia TRACON and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Together, these steps should help improve reliability and reduce the number of delays in the near future.
For a more detailed list of what the FAA is doing to improve Newark Liberty International Airport, you can visit the agency’s official updates page.
Congress Weighs In: Bigger Changes Needed
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attended the hearing and called for an even larger overhaul. He asked Congress for billions of dollars to upgrade the whole national air traffic system. He said that many of the current issues—at Newark, Philadelphia, and other airports—are tied to aging radar and communications equipment. He pointed to recent radar outages that caused big disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport and other major hubs.
Secretary Duffy warned that unless Congress provides new funding, problems like those seen at Newark Liberty International Airport could spread to more airports in the future. He believes that more money and greater attention are needed to help the FAA upgrade vital systems.
During the hearing, Duffy also mentioned another troubling example: At Reagan National Airport, a special hotline meant to connect the Defense Department and air traffic controllers was down for three years without anyone realizing it. That breakdown meant a delayed response when an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight, which resulted in a tragedy. While this did not happen at Newark Liberty International Airport, it showed senators that outdated systems are a problem around the country.
Looking Back: A History of Trouble
Newark Liberty International Airport has seen more than its share of troubles in recent years. According to multiple news stories, problems have built up for several years, with staffing slowly shrinking and delays getting longer. Chronic maintenance issues, a crowded airspace (with so many flights going in and out of the New York region), and lack of investment have all played a role.
In the past, airlines and the FAA were able to make short-term fixes—like rerouting a few flights or calling in extra staff during holiday peaks. But as technology has gotten older and staff shortages have gotten worse, these band-aid solutions have stopped working. Now, the FAA says larger changes are needed to get Newark back on track.
What’s Next for Newark Liberty International Airport?
The immediate next steps are clear: The FAA must quickly boost staffing, update technology, and provide reliable backup systems. However, airlines and travelers want to know that Newark Liberty International Airport will truly become more dependable over time.
The Senate Commerce Committee will keep a close eye on the airport’s progress. Lawmakers may hold follow-up hearings and seek regular updates from the FAA. Airlines will likely adjust schedules where they can, but they depend on the FAA to deliver on its promises. Passengers, above all, want to see delays and cancellations drop as these improvements are made.
How This Affects Immigration and International Travel
For immigrants and those traveling to or from other countries, problems at Newark Liberty International Airport can create unexpected headaches. Newark is a major entry point to the United States 🇺🇸, handling thousands of international travelers daily. Delays in customs or at security can mean missed connections or extended layovers, especially for people attempting to connect with immigration services or deadlines.
Immigration lawyers and advocates have pointed out that travelers with time-sensitive legal matters are especially at risk. For example, those with work visas, student visas, or green card interviews often face tight schedules. As reported by VisaVerge.com, even small delays at busy airports like Newark Liberty International Airport can have a big impact on a person’s ability to keep an appointment or finish paperwork on time.
When airport operations run poorly, processing of travelers through customs and immigration slows down. This can make the process even more stressful for new arrivals, families reuniting, or anyone facing complex legal rules. That’s why keeping Newark Liberty International Airport safe and reliable is important for both business and family life.
Different Perspectives and Controversies
At the Senate Commerce Committee hearing, some senators blamed the current problems on underinvestment over many years. Others said that newer issues—like the COVID-19 pandemic, which reshaped travel and staffing patterns—only made things worse. Supporters of more funding say that unless the FAA’s budget is increased, the kinds of failures seen at Newark Liberty International Airport will keep happening elsewhere.
Others worry that simply spending more money may not solve deeper problems with how the air traffic control system is managed. They want more regular checks on equipment and a better hiring process for air traffic staff. The FAA has said they are listening to all these concerns and will make changes where needed.
Summary and What to Watch For
The Senate Commerce Committee’s investigation into Newark Liberty International Airport put a spotlight on just how many things must go right to keep a busy airport running smoothly. Problems with staffing, equipment, and old technology have all played a part in recent troubles. The FAA has promised several quick fixes, including new technology and more staff, but the path to lasting change will take time and money.
For passengers, airlines, and those involved in immigration, improvements at Newark Liberty International Airport cannot come soon enough. The hope is that with more attention and investment, delays and technical problems will become less common, making travel smoother for everyone. The FAA, with support from Congress, will need to show progress in both small steps and major upgrades, and regular updates will be important for rebuilding trust.
If you have travel plans going through Newark Liberty International Airport, stay updated on the latest changes by checking official FAA statements or visiting VisaVerge.com, which regularly reports on immigration and travel policy changes that may affect your trip. The coming months will be a test for both the FAA and the airport as they work to deliver on their promises and restore confidence in one of the country’s major air travel hubs.
Learn Today
TRACON → Terminal Radar Approach Control, an FAA facility responsible for guiding aircraft during arrival and departure near busy airports.
STARS → Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, the modern computer system that improves tracking and management of air traffic at airports.
Fiberoptic Technology → High-speed data cables that transmit information using light, offering faster and more reliable communications than traditional copper wires.
Ground Stop → A procedure where all flights destined for a specific airport are held at departure, often due to safety or technical concerns.
Certified Professional Controllers → Air traffic controllers fully trained and licensed by the FAA to manage aircraft movement safely in specific airspace sectors.
This Article in a Nutshell
Newark Liberty International Airport faces critical disruptions due to staff shortages and outdated technology, prompting a Senate Commerce Committee hearing. The FAA has pledged rapid upgrades, including fiberoptic communications and increased staffing. These changes aim to provide safer, more reliable travel for passengers, airlines, and immigrants relying on smooth airport operations daily.
— By VisaVerge.com
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• Transportation Secretary Warns Newark Airport Chaos Spreading
