Key Takeaways
• Over 20% of Newark’s air traffic controllers took trauma leave after a 90-second communication failure on April 28, 2025.
• Runway construction has left only one main runway open at Newark, reducing airport capacity until at least mid-June.
• United Airlines canceled about 35 roundtrip flights daily; travelers are advised to check flights and use alternative airports when possible.
The ongoing problems at Newark Airport 🇺🇸 show no signs of ending soon, according to travel and aviation experts. For more than a week, thousands of travelers have faced long delays and sudden cancellations at one of the busiest airports in the New York City area. The disruptions, which started in late April 2025, have caused major headaches for families, business travelers, and airport workers alike.
Multiple factors have come together to create this crisis at Newark Liberty International Airport 🇺🇸. Each issue on its own could cause trouble, but together they have pushed the airport into a very difficult period with few easy answers. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these problems may last for several more weeks or even months—leaving travelers uncertain and frustrated.
Let’s break down what’s happening and what it means for people trying to use Newark Airport 🇺🇸 right now.
The Main Problems Behind the Newark Crisis
Not Enough Air Traffic Controllers
One of the biggest reasons for the current trouble is a serious shortage of air traffic controllers. These workers help guide all the planes arriving and leaving the airport every day. For Newark Airport 🇺🇸, the main group in charge is called the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, or simply “Philly TRACON.” This team directs aircraft in and out of Newark’s busy airspace.
Recently, more than 20% of the air traffic controllers for Newark walked off the job. Many took “trauma leave” after a scary incident on April 28, 2025, when a technology failure left controllers unable to see or talk to planes for about 90 seconds. For those not familiar, trauma leave allows people to recover from very stressful or upsetting work events. These leaves could last up to 45 days.
Because so many controllers are now absent, Philly TRACON is severely understaffed. When there are not enough controllers, each person must handle more planes, which can slow down schedules and make it harder to keep things safe. According to FAA sources, staffing troubles have made it much tougher to plan and manage flights smoothly at Newark Airport 🇺🇸.
Runway Closures for Construction
Another problem adding to the delays is runway construction at Newark. Right now, only one of the airport’s main runways is open. The other, which usually handles the most departing flights, is closed for a $121 million update.
This runway work is expected to continue for about three months, with reopening not likely until mid-June. With only one main path for planes to take off and land, the airport’s total capacity has dropped. That means fewer flights can run each hour, even if demand is high.
Outdated Equipment and Technology Failures
Technology problems also play a key role in the crisis. On April 28, 2025, the communication systems overseeing planes around Newark Airport 🇺🇸 failed. Air traffic controllers lost both radio contact and their “radar” screens that show plane positions. While the blackout lasted just 90 seconds, it was enough to rattle controllers and trigger many to take trauma leave.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has publicly said that air traffic controllers across the United States 🇺🇸 are still using old technology. In some cases, the cables sending information are made from copper—something invented more than a century ago. These copper lines are slowly being replaced by faster and more reliable fiber optic cables, but this switchover is not yet finished. Until technology is updated, risk of failure stays high.
Bad Weather Making Things Worse
The timing of all these problems has made the situation even harder to manage. Bad weather, especially heavy clouds and low visibility, hit Newark just as other problems piled up. When clouds are low and pilots cannot see well, air traffic controllers must add extra space between planes. This reduces the number of flights that can arrive or depart each hour and bumps up delays.
Travel Impact—How Bad Is It?
For travelers, the effects have been serious. Each day, Newark Airport 🇺🇸 has seen hundreds of delayed or canceled flights. Online tracker FlightAware reported 210 delays and 88 cancellations in just one day at the height of the crisis.
United Airlines, the biggest airline using Newark as a hub, has had to cancel roughly 35 roundtrip flights every day. The losses for airlines and passengers are huge—not just in money but also in missed workdays, family events, and vacations.
Some air traffic controllers have gone so far as to warn travelers not to fly through Newark right now. An anonymous controller told a news network, “It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public,” and said people should “avoid Newark at all costs.”
What Should Travelers Do? Options and Suggestions
So what should you do if you need to fly soon?
Experts have a few tips:
- Try other airports: If your schedule is flexible, fly through another New York-area airport like LaGuardia (LGA) or John F. Kennedy (JFK). These airports are less affected by the crisis at Newark Airport 🇺🇸 and may offer more stable service until problems are fixed.
- Book early flights: If you must use Newark Airport 🇺🇸, choose the earliest flight of the day. Data shows morning flights face fewer delays, since troubles tend to build up as the day goes on.
- Avoid connections at Newark: Making a connecting flight at Newark increases your risk of missing your next plane. If possible, book nonstop flights or use another airport for your transfer.
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Try the bus: With flight reliability down, more people are turning to ground travel. Bus companies like FlixBus and Greyhound say they’ve seen a 35% increase in travelers starting their journey from Newark and an 80% jump in ticket sales compared to last year.
These steps can help reduce hassle, but with Newark Airport 🇺🇸 remaining so unpredictable, there are few guarantees for a completely smooth journey.
How Are Officials Trying to Fix the Crisis?
Recognizing the scale of the trouble, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched several efforts to deal with the ongoing problems:
- Improving technology: The FAA has added three high-speed communications lines for air traffic controllers and is replacing old copper cables with modern fiber optic wiring.
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Backup systems: A temporary backup communications system has been set up in case the main one fails again. This gives workers more peace of mind if something goes wrong.
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Staff support: Extra staff have been added at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control center, which manages Newark traffic. However, hiring and training new air traffic controllers takes time, so shortages could last for weeks.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has proposed putting in place “level three slot controls” at Newark Airport 🇺🇸. Slot controls limit the number of flights an airline can schedule at a time. Kirby pointed out that, in ideal conditions, Newark can handle 77 departures or arrivals each hour. But when airlines try to run more—86 or more per hour—the entire system “falls apart.”
Despite these efforts, the basic challenges—staff shortages, runway closures, and outdated technology—cannot be fixed overnight.
What’s Next for Newark Airport 🇺🇸?
As of May 10, 2025, the FAA reported some small improvements. Arriving flights at Newark were seeing average airborne delays of 15 minutes or less. Still, this does not mean all problems are gone. Most experts believe travelers should plan for continuing disruptions through at least mid-June, and possibly longer.
Longer term, the airport and government will need to invest much more in both hiring controllers and upgrading the old systems that keep planes safe. That includes finishing the switch to fiber optic communications and making sure controller teams are fully staffed and trained.
In the meantime, airlines like United are making hard choices, cutting flights to give themselves some breathing space. Fewer flights mean fewer delays, but also fewer options for travelers.
Key Takeaways for Travelers, Immigrants, and Employers
- Keep checking your flight: Airline schedules at Newark Airport 🇺🇸 can change with little notice. Always check for updates before heading to the airport.
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Have a backup plan: If you can, book refundable tickets or consider other routes. If your travel is for a visa appointment, work need, or medical treatment, allow extra time in case of disruption.
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Understand your rights: U.S. Department of Transportation rules can protect travelers in cases of cancellations and long delays. Learn more about these protections from the U.S. DOT.
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Expect stress: It’s not just travelers who are affected. Immigrants waiting for flights, employers counting on global staff, and families planning visits are all feeling the pain. Avoiding last-minute flights through Newark, if you can, may help.
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Stay calm and patient: While solutions are being put in place, it will take time for normal service to return. Being prepared for changes can save you stress down the road.
How Do These Problems Affect Immigration and Global Mobility?
Travel chaos at Newark Airport 🇺🇸 can have real effects on people moving to or from the United States 🇺🇸. Here’s how:
- Visa appointments: Delayed or canceled flights could make someone miss a consulate or embassy appointment, which often cannot be easily rescheduled.
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Work deadlines: Global employees relocating for a job might miss key onboarding dates. Employers may need to adjust start times and factor in possible travel setbacks.
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Family reunions: Delays could mean missing major events like weddings, funerals, or graduations. Immigrants waiting to see loved ones may have to wait even longer.
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Legal status: In rare situations, missed flights at Newark could affect someone’s legal status, especially if their time in the United States 🇺🇸 is running out.
For these reasons, it’s wise to stay informed, keep in touch with airlines, and consider alternate travel plans if you need to enter or exit through Newark Airport 🇺🇸.
Different Views on the Newark Situation
While many blame staffing problems at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control for the bulk of the problems, others argue that years of under-investment in technology and slow upgrades by the FAA are just as important.
Some experts believe weather is the most unpredictable factor and will always cause delays in high-traffic places like the New York region. Others feel the situation would be much improved if airlines kept to more realistic schedules during busy times and major construction projects.
What’s clear is that fixing the problem will require cooperation among the airlines, the FAA, air traffic controllers, and lawmakers. Each group will need to make changes for safety, efficiency, and passenger comfort.
Looking Ahead: Is There an End in Sight?
No one expects problems at Newark Airport 🇺🇸 to end soon. The overlapping issues of staff shortages at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, runway closures, and old equipment have created a very difficult situation.
While some steps have helped a bit—like bringing in backup communication lines, cycling more staff into key roles, and making buses available for more ground travel—it will be at least several more weeks before things return to normal, experts say.
For now, the best advice for anyone traveling through Newark Airport 🇺🇸 is to stay aware, book flights carefully, and be patient. If you have any flexibility or can use another airport in the region, that may save you both time and stress. Continue to follow updates from official government sources, keep an eye on flight status, and review your travel plans regularly. As reported by VisaVerge.com, travelers should expect continued changes and prepare for delays if Newark is on their journey.
To stay updated, you can check the latest flight status and advisories directly with the FAA through their official site.
In this period of travel uncertainty, simple preparation and quick action can make all the difference, especially when flying through Newark Airport 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
Air Traffic Controller → A professional who directs airplane movements in airports and airspace, maintaining safe distances and managing arrivals and departures.
Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control → The regional team guiding planes into and out of Newark Airport’s airspace, overseeing safe aviation operations.
Trauma Leave → A period of absence from work for employees to recover after experiencing a stressful or traumatic event, particularly in safety-sensitive roles.
Slot Controls → Regulatory limits on the number of flights airlines can schedule in a set period at busy airports to manage congestion.
Fiber Optic Cables → High-speed communication cables made of glass fibers, replacing copper wires to improve reliability and data transmission for airport systems.
This Article in a Nutshell
Newark Airport faces major disruption from staff shortages, runway closures, and outdated technology. With hundreds of daily flight delays and cancellations, travelers encounter uncertainty. Authorities are upgrading systems and adding staff, but normal service may not return before mid-June. Consider alternative airports or ground travel for better reliability during this crisis.
— By VisaVerge.com
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