United Airlines on Wednesday suggested a shortage of air traffic controllers was the cause of “significant delays” at its hub, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), as Americans begin their holiday travels.
In an email to The Hill, the company said Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) “staffing shortages are causing significant disruption for Newark travelers.” Additionally, since the beginning of this month through Monday, “more than 343,000 United Airlines travelers have been disrupted by delays, cancellations, extended taxi times, and extended flight times related to air traffic control delays to Newark. There is,” he added.
“The FAA needs more air traffic controllers. The FAA's talent shortage is especially acute. [Terminal Radar Approach Control] “We need to reduce traffic to the Newark hub so that it becomes the center of Newark airspace and the FAA can safely manage air traffic,” United Airlines said in an emailed statement.
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The company's response comes as delays disrupt what is typically a busy travel week, when many Americans fly out to see friends and family over the Thanksgiving holiday. airline They call Newark their thing. “The hub of the New York region”
“Most delays nationwide are caused by weather and airline operations,” the FAA told The Hill in a statement.
“Hiring more air traffic controllers is a top priority. The FAA is grappling with decades-old staffing issues, especially in Newark airspace, and we need to be transparent with airlines and travelers about our plans.” ,” the department said.
“Due to an FAA issue, travelers may experience flight delays on EWR,” Newark Airport said in a post on social platform X on Tuesday.
Airport: “Please check your flight status and allow plenty of time at the airport.” added to post.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called out overwork in an April interview and emphasized the need for more air traffic controllers.
“We need more and we're hiring more,” Buttigieg, who oversees the FAA, told MSNBC's “Morning Joe” at the time.
“If you look at the graphs over the past 30 years or so, the number of air traffic controllers has been decreasing and decreasing, and only recently have their numbers increased,” he added.
“The lack of air traffic control is, frankly, just a problem,” Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said at a press conference.
“This is the most congested airspace in the country, and perhaps in the world. Managing the amount of planes coming in and out is a big challenge. So the FAA's air traffic control system has the biggest challenge here. Nationwide. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that there is a shortage of air traffic controllers in the country,” he added.
Updated at 5:05 p.m. ET
