Flight Reductions at Newark Liberty International Airport

GLEN RIDGE, N.J. — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that flight operations have been scaled back at Newark Liberty International Airport following the suspension of two key air traffic control systems.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” this past Sunday, Duffy sought to reassure travelers, sharing that he had recently flown through Newark. He acknowledged that significant changes are necessary.

When asked whether it remains safe to travel to and from Newark, Duffy responded affirmatively, highlighting the steps taken in light of the recent issues.

“We’ve actually reduced the number of flights departing from Newark because our priority is safety,” Duffy explained.

“I really dislike delays and cancellations—nobody wants that. Imagine being stuck for four hours with small kids. I’ve been through it myself—it’s tough. But I want you to reach your destination safely, even if it means delaying flights out of Newark,” he added.

On April 28, the controller at the Philadelphia Air Traffic Control Center, responsible for overseeing air traffic around the airport, lost communication with both radar and flights for 90 seconds.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association stated that they were “unable to communicate” during that time, according to the New York Times.

This incident led to an increased backlog of cancellations and delays at Newark, one of the busiest airports in the U.S. and a major hub in the New York area.

When pressed about potential concerns regarding other airports, Duffy stated, “My worry extends to the entire airspace.”

“Is it safe? Yes, we have multiple layers of safety in place for your flights. But we need to recognize that our old systems are showing signs of stress, which signals it’s time for us to address these issues,” Duffy remarked.