West Virginia, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), flight delays rise.

(West Virginia) West Virginia now tops the United States 🇺🇸 for flight disruptions, with more than a quarter of all flights either delayed or canceled over a recent 12‑month period, according to a new analysis of federal data. From July 2024 to June 2025, 27.3% of flights touching the state were disrupted, meaning nearly 3 in 10 planes did not leave on time or never left at all. New Jersey ranked second, with 26.4% of flights delayed or canceled, a problem heavily concentrated at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), one of the busiest gateways for international travelers and immigrants arriving to or leaving the country.

Key findings and context

• Time period covered: July 2024 to June 2025 (12 months).
• Top states by disruption rate:
  • West Virginia: 27.3% disrupted flights.
  • New Jersey: 26.4% disrupted flights (largely tied to EWR).
• These figures show that states like West Virginia and New Jersey were already experiencing higher‑than‑average disruption before the federal shutdown that began in October 2025.

How the federal shutdown worsened the situation

The aviation system has struggled with knock‑on effects from a federal government shutdown that began in October 2025, pushing already stretched resources to the breaking point.

• At Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and other major Northeast airports, some flights have been held on the ground for two to three hours, increasing backlogs.
• The analysis suggests the current crisis is likely to worsen disruptions for travelers, especially:
  • families on immigrant visas,
  • students,
  • workers on tight travel schedules.

Staffing shortages and air traffic control

The Federal Aviation Administration has reported that nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay during the shutdown.

• This deepens long‑standing staffing shortages in control towers and centers.
• With fewer controllers, traffic flow is intentionally slowed in complex airspace — notably around EWR and other hub airports.
• Consequences include:
  • longer holding patterns,
  • ground stops,
  • missed connections.

These operational slowdowns are intended to preserve safety, but they create cascading delays that can substantially disrupt travelers’ plans.

Official response

“We work overtime to make sure the system is safe. And we will slow traffic down, you’ll see delays, we’ll have flights canceled to make sure the system is safe,”
— Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

• Secretary Duffy warned there should be no expectation of quick relief while controllers remain unpaid and exhausted.
• His remarks highlight the tension between prioritizing safety and maintaining on‑time operations for millions of travelers.

Why West Virginia ranks so high

West Virginia’s top ranking may surprise those who view it as a quieter, regional market. Key points:

• 27.3% disruption applies to flights touching West Virginia airports.
• Travelers connecting through larger hubs after starting in a small regional field are often at a disadvantage.
• A late departure out of a West Virginia airport can quickly turn into a missed international connection at EWR or another major gateway, producing consequences such as:
  • missed work start dates,
  • expired entry clearances,
  • inability to attend family immigration interviews abroad.

Newark (EWR) and other busy delay‑prone airports

New Jersey’s high disruption rate is largely tied to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

Airports appearing among the most delay‑prone include:
– Newark Liberty International (EWR)
– Orlando Sanford International (SFB)
– St. Pete‑Clearwater International (PIE)
– Aspen Pitkin County Sardy Field (ASE)
– Palm Beach International (PBI)

For many immigrants and foreign visitors, EWR is often the first U.S. arrival point after long‑haul flights from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Long ground delays, missed connections, and cancellations at EWR can lead to:
– unplanned overnight stays,
– extra costs,
– complicated questions about entry stamps, status start dates, and onward travel.

Financial and emotional costs

• New Jersey has the highest average delay claim cost in the country, underlining the financial strain on passengers.
• Money back or travel credits rarely compensate for the immigration impact of missing an embassy interview, naturalization ceremony abroad, or a deadline to leave the country.
• Example scenario: A family flying from West Virginia through EWR to attend a consular appointment abroad may face hotel, meal, and last‑minute ticket change expenses — and may be unable to reschedule critical appointments for months.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, travelers with immigration‑related timelines are especially vulnerable to these schedule shocks because airline schedules can change but visa and court dates usually cannot.

States with the lowest disruption rates

The analysis highlights several states with notably lower disruption rates, suggesting geography, weather, and traffic levels affect reliability:

• Lower figures indicate these states are less exposed to the cascading disruptions seen along East Coast corridors.
• For domestic travelers this can mean a more relaxed trip; for immigrants and foreign visitors it can mean the difference between a smooth entry and a risky journey.

Continued congestion and legal urgency (late Nov 2025)

Late in November 2025, Northeast airports including EWR continued to experience serious congestion.

• Some flights took off only after hours on the tarmac.
• Others were canceled when crews timed out or slots were lost.
• For travelers who must arrive by a visa date or exit before status expiration, these rolling delays can create urgent legal problems:
  • missing an entry window by one day may require rebooking,
  • reapplying for documents,
  • explaining the situation to border or consular officials.

Passenger rights and guidance

Passenger rights are limited but existent. The U.S. Department of Transportation offers guidance on refunds and relief for long delays or cancellations, especially when an airline cancels a flight or makes a major schedule change.

• See guidance at the U.S. Department of Transportation aviation consumer protection page: (https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer)
• Note: refunds or travel credits rarely cover immigration consequences such as missed embassy interviews or required travel deadlines.

Impact on employers, schools, and sponsors

Experts say concentrated delays at hubs like EWR have broader effects:

• Employers sponsoring foreign workers may need to:
  • adjust internal records,
  • explain late starts to government agencies.
• Schools sponsoring international students may face students arriving after orientation or classes begin, affecting enrollment tracking for immigration purposes.
• These ripple effects often don’t appear in delay statistics but affect real lives across airports, consulates, and immigration waiting rooms daily.

Practical advice and takeaways

For travelers affected by high disruption risk (especially those with immigration or time‑sensitive commitments):

1. Build extra time into itineraries — add several buffer days for connections and appointments.
2. Check flight status often before and during travel.
3. Prepare contingency plans: alternate flights, accommodation funds, and documentation for missed appointments.
4. Contact sponsors (employers, schools) in advance to explain potential delays.
5. Consult official guidance on passenger rights at (https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer) if you face cancellations or major schedule changes.

Until the shutdown is resolved and controllers are paid and rested, the odds of flight delays or cancellations remain higher than almost anywhere else in the country — a reality that disproportionately affects anyone with time‑sensitive travel tied to visas, residency, or family immigration milestones. Passenger groups and some lawmakers are urging Congress to restore pay for air traffic controllers, arguing that a stable, fully staffed workforce is the only way to reduce chronic delays in these corridors.