Key Takeaways
• Secretary Duffy switched his wife’s flight from Newark to LaGuardia due to safety concerns.
• Newark faces air traffic controller shortages, system failures, and runway construction, causing major delays.
• FAA has limited Newark flights to 24-28 per hour until at least mid-June for safety and staffing reasons.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has come under attention after reports revealed he changed his wife’s flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to LaGuardia because of safety worries. In a recently surfaced audio recording, Secretary Duffy is heard saying, “My wife was flying out of Newark tomorrow. I switched her flight to LaGuardia.” This decision shines a spotlight on the current problems faced by Newark Liberty International Airport and what they might mean for travelers.
Why Did Secretary Duffy Change the Flight?
Secretary Duffy’s choice to move his wife’s flight away from Newark Liberty International Airport has brought public focus to the airport’s issues. According to the audio clip, his actions were driven by concerns over safety at Newark. These worries are not just personal; they echo alerts raised by aviation professionals and agencies managing the airport.
What’s Happening at Newark Liberty International Airport?
Newark Liberty International Airport is facing several problems that have raised alarm among air travelers, officials, and even airlines:
Air Traffic Controller Shortage
The facility that controls flights for Newark, based out of Philadelphia, does not have enough air traffic controllers. Right now, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just 22 fully certified controllers and five supervisors, when ideally it should have about 38 certified controllers in place.
This staff shortage got even worse recently. Between five and seven controllers took a 45-day trauma leave after a system failure, which once again exposed the pressure the small team is under.
Equipment and Communications Failures
Besides staff shortages, Newark Liberty International Airport has had repeated equipment problems. In the past two-and-a-half weeks, controllers lost radar contact with planes — and also the ability to talk to pilots — for as long as 90 seconds on two separate occasions. Not only that, backup systems did not work straight away during these incidents.
A third radar failure happened on May 9, but this time the backup system worked correctly. However, the fact that these issues keep appearing has made the situation unsettling for both those working in air traffic control and everyday travelers.
Ongoing Runway Construction
Adding to all these problems, one of Newark’s main runways is currently closed for construction. This major runway is expected to remain shut until at least mid-June. While construction work is important for the long-term health of the airport, the temporary closure has made flight delays and changes even worse for airlines and travelers.
United Airlines, which operates many flights out of Newark, described it as one more problem that, together with staff shortages and broken equipment, is making it very hard to stick to flight schedules.
Strong Warnings from Aviation Workers
The situation at Newark Liberty International Airport is so serious that some air traffic controllers are openly warning travelers. One controller reportedly told MSNBC correspondent Tom Costello that Newark “is not safe” and recommended that people “avoid Newark at all costs.” While such direct statements are rare, they show the level of worry among those responsible for keeping the skies above Newark safe.
United Airlines has responded strongly as well. The company announced it was canceling about 35 round-trip flights each day from its Newark schedule. Their reason: it is not possible to keep up with standard operations with ongoing FAA technology problems and a lack of enough staff. Clearly, these moves have a big impact on anyone hoping to fly in or out of Newark.
What Are Officials Doing About the Problem?
Secretary Duffy did not only act for his wife’s travel needs. He also announced a new program on May 1 designed to tackle the nationwide shortage in air traffic controllers — a problem that is certainly affecting Newark Liberty International Airport.
The FAA has tried to help Newark operate more smoothly through other steps as well, such as limiting the number of flights going in and out of the airport. Until things improve, only 24 to 28 flights per hour are being allowed, down from 38-39 flights per hour before the recent problems.
Further, the FAA is in talks with airlines that operate at Newark, looking for ways to keep the flight restrictions in place until at least mid-June. This timing lines up with hopes that both the runway work will be finished and the staff who went on trauma leave may be able to return. These steps are meant to get Newark Liberty International Airport back on track, but it’s clear that many travelers and workers feel uneasy about the current state of things.
You can find more about how the FAA manages airport safety and staff shortages on their official FAA Air Traffic Controller page.
How Are Passengers Affected?
If you are planning to travel through Newark Liberty International Airport in the coming weeks, you should expect the following:
- More delays and flight cancellations, especially at peak times
- Longer wait times due to ongoing runway construction
- Greater risk of last-minute changes, which could include flights being moved, rescheduled, or even rerouted to other airports such as LaGuardia
For people who count on Newark as a main travel hub, this period could be frustrating. Airline staff, planners, and even federal officials are recommending that travelers keep watch for flight updates and stay in touch with their airlines if they are scheduled to leave from or arrive at Newark in the near future.
Are Planes Still Safe Despite the Problems?
Even with the strong warnings and growing problems at Newark Liberty International Airport, most experts agree that flying from major airports in the United States 🇺🇸, including Newark, remains safe. According to reports from Business Insider, aviation workers point out that both air traffic controllers and pilots are highly trained professionals. These workers are taught to handle situations where they lose contact with the tower or have to wait longer than normal for instructions.
In other words, the main risk right now is to the flow of flights and how smoothly passengers can get to and from their destinations, not to their safety on the planes themselves. Equipment failures and short staffing may cause headaches and confusion, but systems are in place so that, even when problems happen, safety comes first.
How Does This Affect Immigration and International Travelers?
Newark Liberty International Airport is not only busy with flights around the United States 🇺🇸, but it also receives many international arrivals and departures. This means that any disruption there has ripple effects beyond just one region. International students, business travelers, families coming for visits, and people arriving with immigrant visas may all face new challenges when planning their trips.
Delays at Newark could mean missed connecting flights, problems with visa appointments, or interrupted plans for people coming from or going to other countries. For those relying on Newark as their entry point into the United States 🇺🇸, the ongoing flight restrictions and operational hiccups could impact important timelines — such as deadlines to report to school, jobs, or even immigration interviews.
If you or someone you know is booking an international flight, it may be wise to look at nearby airports like LaGuardia or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) until Newark has resolved its current issues. As reported by VisaVerge.com, staying flexible and prepared for schedule changes is more important than ever during times of airport trouble.
LaGuardia’s Role Amid Newark’s Problems
With Secretary Duffy switching his wife’s flight to LaGuardia, other travelers may consider doing the same. While LaGuardia serves mostly domestic routes, its flight operations have been less affected by staffing and equipment hardships compared to Newark Liberty International Airport.
For now, LaGuardia could see more travelers rerouted there, either because airlines are moving flights or because passengers themselves are looking for a backup plan. While LaGuardia is not immune to its own set of challenges (like ongoing renovation and regular congestion), it has not faced the wave of problems currently seen at Newark.
If you are searching for more options to avoid disruption, keep in mind:
- LaGuardia and JFK are both within a short drive or train ride of Newark and cover a wide range of domestic and international flights
- Both airports may be busier than usual due to overflow from Newark, so prepare for potential crowds
By being proactive, checking schedules, and exploring all regional airport choices, travelers may be able to reduce the risks of major flight interruptions.
What Happens Next at Newark Liberty International Airport?
Looking ahead, there are several important points to remember about Newark Liberty International Airport and the travel situation:
- The FAA will continue to limit flights at Newark to keep daily operations under control until runway repairs wrap up and staff shortages ease
- United Airlines and other carriers will review their schedules, possibly cutting more flights if problems continue
- The air traffic controller program from Secretary Duffy aims to bring more people into the field and keep current workers, but it takes time for hires to be fully trained
For travelers, the advice is simple: stay informed, be ready to adjust your plans, and check with your airline often for any last-minute updates or cancellations.
Is This Just a Newark Problem, or Are Other Airports Affected?
It’s clear that Newark Liberty International Airport is having an especially tough time right now, but it is not alone. Each US Transportation Secretary in the past has faced the difficult job of keeping improvements and safety in line at busy airports across the country. Problems like traffic controller shortages and equipment breakdowns can happen elsewhere — but the combination hitting Newark at the same time is what makes the current case so striking.
By learning from what is happening now — and by taking quick action to fix today’s shortages and system weaknesses — officials hope to make airline travel safer and more reliable for everyone, at Newark and everywhere else.
Final Takeaways
The decision by US Transportation Secretary Duffy to switch his wife’s flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to LaGuardia has sparked new talks about airport safety, staffing, and how airlines adjust to sudden problems. Newark’s troubles remind us how important a fully staffed and well-equipped airport is for the smooth operation of both domestic and international travel.
For now, travelers should keep an eye on official updates, expect changes in airline schedules, and consider airports like LaGuardia as alternative routes. Above all, experts urge that while delays and cancellations may be frustrating, all safety systems are being maintained to protect travelers. With ongoing attention from the FAA, cooperation with airlines, and new programs from the Secretary’s office, there is hope that Newark Liberty International Airport will return to normal operations in the near future.
Learn Today
FAA → Federal Aviation Administration, the US agency responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation.
Air Traffic Controller → Professional managing aircraft movement in controlled airspace and on the ground for safety and efficient flow.
Runway Construction → Temporary closure and repair work on airport landing strips, often affecting flight schedules and causing delays.
Trauma Leave → A period during which staff are granted absence due to stress or psychological impact resulting from work incidents.
Backup Systems → Secondary systems at airports designed to maintain safety if primary equipment or communications fail temporarily.
This Article in a Nutshell
Amid mounting safety concerns and staffing shortages, US Transportation Secretary Duffy rerouted his wife’s flight from Newark to LaGuardia. Ongoing issues at Newark include equipment failures, staff shortages, and runway closures. The FAA limited flight volume, emphasizing traveler safety, while urging flexibility as operational disruptions continue for both domestic and international passengers.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Newark Liberty International Airport Ran on One Controller
• Newark Liberty Airport Deemed ‘Absolutely Safe’ by United
• Bradley International Airport Dodges Newark Chaos
• Transportation Secretary Warns Newark Airport Chaos Spreading
• United Airlines CEO Faces Chaos at Newark Liberty Airport
