Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to cut the number of flights in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport over the coming weeks as the facility continues to grapple with radar outages and other operational issues. The announcement came during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, where Duffy outlined how the airport has experienced persistent delays and cancellations, including yet another slowdown on Sunday caused by a telecommunications problem.
Duffy explained that he will meet with major airlines flying through Newark this week to coordinate flight schedules. He emphasized that the reductions would vary depending on the time of day, with most targeted during the afternoon hours when international arrivals tend to increase the airport’s congestion. The goal, he said, is to ensure passengers can book flights with confidence that they will depart as scheduled, avoiding the frustrating experience of arriving at the airport only to face lengthy delays or cancellations.
The recent disruptions are compounded by a shortage of air traffic controllers and equipment failures. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a “telecommunications issue” on Sunday impacting a facility in Philadelphia responsible for managing aircraft movements at Newark. The FAA quickly responded by slowing air traffic to and from the airport to ensure safety, before operations were restored to normal.
Infrastructure challenges like these are increasingly a concern nationwide, highlighting the need for improved maintenance and modernization efforts at airports across the United States to ensure smoother air travel in the future.
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