A severe operational disruption struck Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on Monday, forcing a temporary ground stop that rippled across the New York–New Jersey airspace and caused over 100 flight cancellations and delays.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the halt was ordered after a critical staffing shortage in the airport’s air traffic control tower, leaving insufficient personnel to safely manage takeoffs and landings. The issue, compounded by ongoing federal budget constraints and the nationwide controller shortage, triggered cascading delays that affected airports at LaGuardia and JFK as well.
Passengers reported hours-long waits and mounting frustration as airlines scrambled to rebook flights. United Airlines, which maintains one of its largest hubs at Newark, described the situation as a “temporary but significant disruption.”
The FAA lifted the full ground stop later in the afternoon, allowing limited departures under a Ground Delay Program, which spaces takeoffs to manage reduced tower capacity. However, residual delays continued into the evening, with some connecting flights canceled outright.
Why it matters:
Newark is one of the nation’s busiest gateways, handling over 1,200 flights daily. Staffing shortages there highlight the fragile state of America’s aviation infrastructure, already under strain from post-pandemic travel demand and federal hiring delays.
What’s next:
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FAA says it’s reviewing contingency plans to prevent recurrence.
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Congressional committees are expected to question the agency about nationwide staffing gaps.
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Airlines urge passengers to check flight status before heading to airports in the tri-state area.
