Hundreds of flights out of Newark canceled, delayed due to construction, staffing

Over 400 flights in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, were delayed on Thursday, and more than 200 flights were canceled due to air traffic control staffing shortages and construction on one of three runways.

The airport provided travelers with an update on social media Thursday afternoon, advising them about the delays and cancellations.

“You may experience delays and cancellations at @EWRairport due to a combination of @FAA staffing shortages, @FAA equipment issues, and wind conditions,” EWR posted on X. “Please check your flight status with your airline before heading to the airport.”

In another post earlier in the day, the airport pointed to construction as one of the reasons for delays.

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Newark Liberty International Airport suffered major delays and cancellations on Thursday due to FAA staffing shortages and runway construction. (Getty Images)

One X user asked when the construction was expected to be complete, and the airport responded, saying, “One of our runways is closed for necessary repairs from now until mid-June 2025.”

“We are working with our airline partners to minimize the impacts, but please check with your airline for updates as flight schedules may be affected,” EWR wrote.

Another X user asked why Newark has staffing issues, “every single day.”

“Good afternoon,” the airport responded. “Due to ongoing FAA staffing challenges, EWR is experiencing operational disruptions. Please check your flight status with your airline.”

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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) headquarters in Washington, D.C. (J. David Ake/Getty Images / Getty Images)

According to FlightAware.com, there were 422 delays at Newark Liberty International and 202 cancellations.

The FAA did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comments on staffing shortages and travel disruptions.

Still, the disruptions appear to be a growing trend at Newark International.

On Monday, the FAA said a series of issues prompted it to dramatically slow traffic at the airport, prompting United Airlines to divert at least 35 flights to other airports.

United – which is the largest carrier at the airport located just outside New York City in New Jersey – told Reuters that an FAA equipment malfunction caused a significant disruption, and it expects cancellations and delays for the rest of the day due to FAA staffing issues.

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A United Airlines passenger jet takes off from Newark Liberty International Airport. (Reuters/Chris Helgren/File Photo / Reuters Photos)

The equipment failure, the FAA told the wire service, was prompted by telecommunications and radar equipment issues at Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, which guides aircraft in and out of Newark. Both issues were resolved, though staffing issues at Philadelphia continued to impact flights, the FAA said.

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The FAA last year relocated control of the Newark, New Jersey, airspace area to Philadelphia to address staffing and congested New York City area traffic.

It also extended cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2025, citing air traffic controller staffing shortages.

Under minimum flight requirements, airlines can lose their takeoff and landing slots at congested airports if they do not use them at least 80% of the time. The FAA’s waiver allows airlines to fly fewer flights and still retain slots.

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The FAA is about 3,500 controllers short of targeted staffing. A persistent shortage of controllers has delayed flights and, at many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks.

Reuters contributed to this report.