Key Takeaways
• Ground stop at Newark Liberty halted all flights on May 5, 2025, due to fog and low visibility.
• United Airlines cut 35 daily round-trip flights and issued free change advisories for impacted travelers.
• FAA cites staff shortages, runway construction, and technology failures as causes for record delays and cancellations.
Travelers and airline workers at Newark Liberty International Airport found themselves facing a tough Monday morning on May 5, 2025, when the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop. From 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., no flights could take off or land due to thick fog and clouds that limited visibility. While this kind of weather is not new to busy airports, the situation was made much worse by a mix of staffing shortages, ongoing construction, and equipment troubles. These problems have caused long delays and cancellations for almost a week straight, making Newark Liberty International Airport the most delayed airport in the world during this time.
Why Did the FAA Order a Ground Stop?
When we talk about a “ground stop,” we mean that planes are not allowed to take off or land at an airport for a certain period. On May 5, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is the agency responsible for managing the air traffic system in the United States 🇺🇸, issued this order for Newark Liberty International Airport because of “low ceilings.” In simple words, the clouds were so low—around 500 feet above ground—that it was dangerous for pilots to safely land or depart. Visibility at the airport was also very poor—only about 2 miles.
Even though the sky was cloudy and foggy, there were no strong winds. Normally, planes could still land and take off, but the poor visibility left pilots and controllers with almost no room for mistakes. Because Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the nation’s busiest airports, with lots of planes arriving and departing every day, the risk of accidents increases when the weather is bad and the airport is already struggling with other problems.
How Bad Were the Delays?
The ground stop wasn’t just a short headache for passengers and flight crews. It made things even worse at an airport already dealing with many troubles.
- Arriving flights faced airborne delays that averaged nearly 4 hours (about 3 hours and 59 minutes), with some planes having to circle in the air or wait at other airports for up to 7 hours and 1 minute.
- Departing flights weren’t any better off. Planes waiting to leave faced long “gate hold” and “taxi” delays, taking between 46 minutes and 1 hour just to get from the gate to the runway.
These delays piled on top of similar problems experienced over the previous six days. According to data from FlightAware, Newark Liberty International Airport had more flight cancellations and delays than any other airport in the world during this period. On Sunday, May 4 alone, there were over 100 flight cancellations and more than 300 delayed flights.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these numbers show just how severe the disruption was for travelers, airlines, and the employees working on site.
What Is Behind Newark’s Recent Airport Trouble?
This is not the first time that Newark Liberty International Airport has seen big travel problems, but the past week stands out for how bad things became. Several important factors have all come together to create a “perfect storm” for delays and frustration. The main ones are:
1. Air Traffic Controller Shortage
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby revealed that more than 20% of the airport’s air traffic controllers—who are in charge of guiding planes safely on the ground and in the air—suddenly stopped coming to work. According to his statement, these controllers took medical leave after two recent technology outages. Without enough trained staff to watch over Newark’s busy airspace, fewer planes could land or take off.
When there aren’t enough controllers, those who are working have to handle more planes, which increases everyone’s stress and risk. That quickly leads to even longer waits for passengers and a slowdown in every part of airport operations.
2. Ongoing Runway Construction
The airport’s troubles are not just about people—they are also about the airport itself. One of Newark’s runways has been shut down completely since early May for a major repair project costing $121 million. This construction will last until at least mid-June 2025.
With one runway closed, Newark is left with only one main runway for most takeoffs and landings. Sometimes a third runway is available, but it can be used only when the wind blows in certain directions. When fewer runways are open, every plane has to wait longer, and any small problem has a snowball effect throughout the schedule.
Runway construction like this is necessary to keep airports safe and up to date, but the timing could not be worse. When paired with staffing problems and bad weather, it becomes a recipe for endless delays.
3. Equipment and Technology Failures
Problems didn’t stop with shortages and construction. The FAA has pointed to equipment trouble at the Philadelphia air traffic control center, which is responsible for watching the skies over Newark Liberty International Airport. This included failures with fiber optic phone lines and the main computer system that allows controllers to see plane positions.
When this system goes down, controllers have less information about where planes are, which increases the risk of mistakes. Repairs take time, and even after systems come back online, it can take hours or even days to return to normal operations.
4. Challenging Weather Conditions
On top of everything, the weather on May 5 was especially tough. The “low ceiling” (clouds close to the ground) and heavy fog forced the FAA to step in and order the ground stop for safety reasons. Even a fully staffed and fully equipped airport would have had a hard time under these conditions, but with everything else going wrong, this weather made things much worse.
How Are Airlines and Passengers Dealing with the Crisis?
The backlog at Newark Liberty International Airport has not only frustrated travelers but also forced airlines and the airport itself to make changes just to keep passengers moving safely.
Flight Reductions and Schedule Changes
United Airlines, which flies more planes in and out of Newark than any other airline, announced that it would cut 35 daily round-trip flights starting the first weekend of May. According to United’s CEO, the move is meant to protect flyers, since the airport “cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead.”
Fewer scheduled flights should, in theory, reduce the pressure on limited runways and staff and help avoid last-minute cancellations. However, this also means that passengers may find it harder to book flights at their preferred times, and ticket prices might increase as supply shrinks.
Travelers Receive Advisories and Free Changes
To help customers through the chaos, United Airlines also issued a travel advisory. This advisory allows passengers booked on affected flights to make changes for free—no extra fees—if their travel was scheduled through Monday, May 5. Other airlines are likely to take similar steps if the delays and cancellations continue.
Travelers are strongly encouraged to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. Some passengers have opted to rebook on different days or routes or to pass through airports that are not facing major problems.
Effects on Immigration and International Travelers
Newark Liberty International Airport is a key entry point for people arriving in the United States 🇺🇸 from many countries. When flights are delayed or canceled, it doesn’t just affect local travelers. International passengers, including those on visas for study, work, or family visits, can face missed connection flights, visa appointment delays, and longer waits in border control lines.
Families with children, the elderly, and people visiting from overseas are hit especially hard. For many, this airport is the first part of their visit to the United States 🇺🇸, and these delays leave a poor first impression. Employers, universities, and others waiting for arrivals experience added stress as they try to adjust plans for meetings, school, and work start dates.
What Are the Authorities Doing to Fix the Problems?
The good news is that federal leaders are aware of how serious the situation is and are promising changes—both for the short-term and the long-term.
Upgrading Air Traffic Technology
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he will announce a plan this week to modernize the technology used by air traffic controllers. The plan is to “build a brand new air traffic control system, state of the art, gold plated, envy of the world.” This means new fiber cables, better radar, updated radios, and new ground sensors that will let controllers “see” more and get timely updates even in bad weather.
Better technology should make it much less likely for equipment failures—like the one in Philadelphia—to cripple airport operations. It will also help controllers deal with many planes at once by making sure everyone has the most current information.
You can learn more about the Federal Aviation Administration and their work on improving air travel safety by visiting their official website.
Tackling Staffing Shortages
On the staffing side, the Department of Transportation is working on both keeping its current controllers and bringing in new ones. They plan to:
- Offer bonuses and other rewards to current staff so they do not leave “for greener pastures.”
- Hire at least 2,000 new air traffic controllers this year.
- Increase the starting salary for new controllers by 30% to attract more people to the job.
Hiring and training new air traffic controllers takes a lot of time and money. New hires usually take years before they are ready to fully manage busy airports like Newark Liberty International Airport. But, these steps are seen as vital to ending shortages that have hurt travelers and airlines.
Looking Ahead: Immediate and Long-Term Effects
The chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport serves as a warning for other airports and travelers. Here’s what we’re likely to see in the days, weeks, and months ahead:
- Continued Delays Until At Least Mid-June: As long as one runway remains closed, experts expect delays to continue, especially when the weather is bad or staff are in short supply.
- Less Flexible Schedules and Higher Prices: With airlines cutting the number of flights, travelers may have to be more flexible and plan for higher costs.
- Airport Upgrades and New Hires: If the government follows through on its promises, we could see safer, smarter airports in the years to come, but these changes will not fix everything overnight.
- International Travelers Should Stay Alert: Those flying long distances, coming for work, study, or vacations should keep checking for updates and plan for possible delays.
Different Viewpoints
Some believe the problems at Newark Liberty International Airport show a deeper issue facing many large airports: aging technology, tough working conditions for controllers, and limits on airport size. Others say more should be done right away to help travelers stuck in the system. Passengers on the ground are frustrated and anxious, hoping for better communication and quicker fixes.
At the same time, airlines argue that cutting flights is necessary to avoid worse problems. Controlling the number of planes until the airport can manage more smoothly is, for them, the safest path forward.
Conclusion: What Can Travelers Do?
For now, patience is the best advice. Before heading to Newark Liberty International Airport, check your flight status with your carrier. If you are flying internationally and have a visa or important immigration meeting soon after your arrival, let your employer or school know about possible delays.
Keep hold of all receipts and documentation, especially if you experience extra costs due to cancellations or missed connections. Airlines like United are offering some flexibility, so take advantage of travel advisories.
While the causes of these problems are complicated, the solutions being discussed offer hope that, in the future, flights through Newark Liberty International Airport—and other busy hubs—will become smoother and safer. Until then, being prepared, staying informed, and allowing extra time for your journey will help you manage the uncertainty.
For further updates and official travel information, visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s website, and check with your airline directly. These small steps can make a big difference when delays threaten to disrupt your plans.
Learn Today
Ground Stop → A temporary halt to all arriving and departing flights at an airport, often due to weather or safety concerns.
Air Traffic Controller → A trained professional responsible for guiding and organizing aircraft movements both in the air and on airport grounds.
Runway Construction → Repairs or upgrades to a runway, which can reduce an airport’s capacity and cause flight delays or cancellations.
Low Ceilings → A weather condition where clouds are very close to the ground, making it difficult or unsafe for planes to operate.
Flight Advisory → An official notice from an airline giving updates, alternative options, or flexible arrangements for impacted passengers.
This Article in a Nutshell
A severe ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 5, 2025, disrupted thousands of travelers due to fog, equipment failures, and staff shortages. United Airlines slashed daily flights, and the airport recorded the world’s most delays. Federal officials promised upgrades, but more disruption is expected until mid-June.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Newark Airport staffing shortage leads United Airlines to cut flights
• Foreign passport accepted for ID on domestic flights in the US
• Finnair cancels 100 flights as Helsinki Airport faces union strike
• United Airlines Halts All Tel Aviv Flights Over Fears
• TSA to require REAL ID or U.S. passport for domestic flights in 2025
