By Ricardo Lezama 
Newark, NJ – United Airlines is cutting 35 daily round trips at Newark Liberty International Airport as persistent staffing shortages and technology failures at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continue to disrupt air traffic nationwide. The weekend fiasco is part of a broader series of difficulties finding and maintaining air traffic controllers on their posts.
United CEO Scott Kirby detailed the move in a letter to customers, citing a week of severe delays and cancellations linked to “long-simmering FAA challenges.” The disruptions came to a head when over 20% of Newark’s air traffic controllers were reportedly unavailable, compounding delays that rippled across the airline’s network.
FAA Under Scrutiny
Kirby did not mince words, stating that outdated FAA systems and a lack of adequate staffing have plagued operations at Newark for years. The airport serves as United’s largest hub for international departures and a key gateway for domestic travel.
In a statement responding to the criticism, the FAA attributed the recent delays to runway construction and ongoing staffing challenges but stopped short of announcing any immediate remedies.
“Since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers,” Kirby wrote.
A History of FAA Woes
This latest incident adds to a growing list of problems for the FAA. In early 2023, system failures forced a nationwide ground stop, while the New York area has continued to suffer from controller shortages. Newark, in particular, has consistently ranked among the most delay-prone major airports in the country. The recent DOGE attacks against overall federal budgets and personnel has aggravated long standing demographic issues within the federal agency.
Kirby has been an outspoken critic of the FAA, testifying before Congress and calling for stronger intervention by the Department of Transportation. He’s now urging federal authorities to designate Newark a “slot-restricted” airport, which would cap the number of permitted takeoffs and landings in an effort to ease congestion.
Broader Implications for Air Travel
The cutbacks at Newark are likely to impact not just local travelers but United’s broader network, as delays at the hub can ripple throughout the country. Airlines have increasingly voiced frustration with FAA limitations, calling for greater funding, modernization, and reform.
With the busy summer travel season approaching, the pressure is mounting for the FAA to act. But for now, United is scaling back, hoping that fewer flights might mean fewer headaches for passengers.