Travelers at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey are worried about delays following recent incidents. Industry experts are suggesting alternatives, while bus services report a surge in passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented ground delays at EWR due to weather, construction, and personnel shortages. This comes after a report indicated that air traffic controllers momentarily lost radar and radio signals last week.
Brandon Bruwett, who wrote “How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes,” mentioned he finds EWR unreliable these days, but still opts to fly from there.
“If I were in New Jersey, I’d still probably fly into Newark, but I’d pick the earliest flight to avoid delays,” Bruwett explained.
“I’ve started to avoid connections through EWR… for more reliable travel,” he added.
For those heading to New York City, Bruett suggested considering other airport options.
“We’re looking at airports like LGA and JFK until the runway issues are resolved and ATC staffing stabilizes,” Bruett noted. “It might be a hassle, but for now, it seems unlikely you’d miss your flight.”
Gary Leff, a travel expert from Texas and author of the blog View From the Wing, advised travelers to steer clear of New York airports for connecting flights.
“If you have connections, it’s usually wise to avoid New York,” he said, while noting that location within the city matters.
“Right now, Newark has significant issues, but if you live on Staten Island, I can’t say JFK is a better bet,” he remarked. “Just pick your poison.”
Some passengers have taken to social media to express their frustrations about EWR. A Reddit post titled “Newark Airport Unsafe ???” garnered over 1,000 reactions and numerous comments.
One user asked, “Should I switch to JFK for my flight this weekend? Should I be worried?”
“I flew from New Mexico to Newark this morning. I made it,” replied another.
One commenter shared, “My flight into EWR was an hour late, and I had to check my bag on a later flight due to weight issues—it was a mess.”
An additional user noted, “I just flew into Newark yesterday, and the delays were frustrating.”
Another Redditor stated, “I returned last week and faced delays that really upset me, and I’ve never experienced that before.”
“The real issue is that air traffic controllers are in demand and severely understaffed,” one user explained.
Bus Travel as a Viable Alternative
A representative from Flix North America, which includes Flixbus and Greyhound, reported an increase in ridership.
“We’ve seen a 35% rise in passengers originating from our Newark location in just three days for both Greyhound and Flixbus,” the spokesperson said.
“Ticket sales at this site have also surged by over 80% compared to last year.”
The spokesperson added, “We’re monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to accommodate passengers affected by delays and cancellations. Bus travel is becoming a crucial alternative, offering an affordable, reliable option for travelers.”
