On Monday night, Newark Liberty International Airport’s airspace was monitored by as few as three air traffic controllers at a Philadelphia radar center, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is despite an agreement between the FAA and the air traffic controllers’ union that sets a target of 14 controllers for that period.
FAA spokesperson Rick Breitenfeldt stated that at least three controllers were scheduled each hour for that evening, assuring that staffing is managed through traffic management initiatives to maintain safety. The situation comes as the FAA faces challenges in maintaining smooth air traffic at one of the nation’s busiest airports, where technological issues, staffing shortages, and ongoing runway construction have disrupted operations in recent weeks.
To address these issues, the FAA has slowed arrivals and departures at Newark, resulting in cancellations and delays. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that the measures aim to ensure safety, not to inconvenience passengers.
Newark’s air traffic control management was relocated from Long Island to Philadelphia last summer. According to the FAA, the Philadelphia facility currently has 22 fully certified controllers and five fully certified supervisors, along with 21 controllers and supervisors in training.
While some travelers are concerned about the staffing shortage, aviation safety experts maintain that this does not directly pose a safety risk for passengers, though it could impact controller performance due to fatigue and stress. Recent delays have also been worsened by communication issues at the Philadelphia facility in recent weeks.
