Rep. Gottheimer Urges Increased Air Traffic Controllers Amid Ongoing Newark Liberty Delays on Day 9

Tuesday marked the ninth straight day of travel headaches at Newark Liberty International Airport, thanks to a shortage of air traffic controllers. This ongoing issue has hit United Airlines particularly hard, forcing the airline to trim 35 daily flights.

The CEO of United mentioned that around 20% of the air traffic controllers at Newark had walked off their jobs last week due to equipment problems. This has created chaos for many travelers, with 225 flights canceled and over 950 delayed just this past weekend.

Reflecting on the situation, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), who is also a gubernatorial candidate, is pushing for immediate action. He calls for the Trump administration to send in more controllers to help with the crisis and insists on emergency funding to repair outdated technology. Gottheimer highlighted concerns about underinvestment in maintenance and staffing shortages, stating that these factors have led to a fragile system.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy supports Gottheimer’s stance, emphasizing that the lack of proper funding and support has put both travelers and the aviation system in jeopardy.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged that while the technology is outdated, he reassured the public that flying remains safe. He is expected to reveal a plan for a new air traffic control system soon, which could bring much-needed relief to the beleaguered airport.

This scenario resonates with broader trends in the aviation industry, where over 29% of flights in the U.S. experienced delays in 2022, according to recent data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Experts argue that investing in modern technology and staffing is crucial to avoid such crises in the future.

Travelers on social media have expressed frustration, sharing stories of missed connections and delays. It’s clear that as air travel continues to rebound, airports like Newark need a stronger infrastructure to keep pace.

In the face of these challenges, the hope is that with the right investments and improvements, passengers will soon enjoy smoother travels. For more on air traffic control advancements, you can check the Federal Aviation Administration.

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air traffic controllers,air travel,Newark-Liberty International Airport