The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States is tightening flight limits at Newark Liberty International Airport, capping arrivals and departures at 28 per hour until 15 June 2025, when daily runway construction ends.
After that, the cap rises to 34 per hour until 25 October 2025.
The move aims to ease delays caused by staffing shortages, equipment failures, and ongoing construction.
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau says the restrictions will reduce disruptions across the National Airspace System.
“Our goal is to relieve the substantial inconvenience to the travelling public from excessive flight delays due to construction, staffing challenges, and recent equipment issues, which magnify as they spread through the [system],” said Rocheleau.
The FAA is modernising its infrastructure to tackle Newark’s air traffic woes. It’s upgrading telecommunications, replacing outdated copper lines with fibre optics, and deploying backup systems at Philadelphia TRACON, which manages Newark’s airspace. A new STARS hub in Philadelphia will reduce the reliance on New York’s network, improving speed and reliability.
Staffing is another challenge. Philadelphia TRACON Area C, which directs Newark flights, has 22 certified controllers, 5 supervisors, and 21 trainees. Of those, 10 are actively training, with three certified in multiple positions. The FAA says its pipeline is strong, with training classes booked through July 2026.
The agency may adjust flight limits based on capacity and delay trends. Airlines, including United, have already cut their schedules to align with the restrictions. Newark typically handles 77 flights per hour, meaning the new limits will slash operations by up to 64%. The FAA met with major carriers last week to discuss broader delay-reduction strategies.
Newark’s air traffic control system has suffered multiple outages, including radar failures and communication blackouts. The FAA’s tech upgrades aim to prevent future disruptions, but officials warn that the aging infrastructure remains a risk. The agency insists that these measures will stabilise operations, but travellers should brace for continued delays until the improvements take full effect.