GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - MARCH 30: Billionaire businessman Elon Musk arrives for a town hall meeting wearing a cheesehead hat at the KI Convention Center on March 30, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The town hall is being held in front of the state’s high-profile Supreme Court election between Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel, who has been financially backed by Musk and endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released temporary restrictions on the number of flights allowed to arrive and depart from Newark Liberty International Airport following the airport’s fourth blackout, which led to many delays and cancellations.
The airport has recently experienced multiple technology blackouts, including failing radio and radar systems. After substantial cuts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the FAA has faced significant staff shortages, which have led to safety concerns.
The CEO of United Airlines recently warned that “Newark is not safe.”
The new restrictions limit the airport to 28 departures and 28 arrivals each hour until June 15. These restrictions will also last every weekend from September to December. On June 15, the cap will be raised to 34 departures and 34 arrivals every hour until October 25.
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The FAA estimates that Newark currently has only 24 air traffic controllers, 14 people short of the estimated 38 needed to operate smoothly and safely. While 26 trainees are also on deck at a nearby facility, the FAA is unsure how many are specifically trained and working in Newark.
The airport’s staffing shortage isn’t unique to Newark. There has been a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers. In addition to the shortage, the tech outage in April at Newark has caused many air traffic controllers to take leave of absence, which they are legally entitled to following a traumatic experience.
Newark is recommended to have at least 14 air traffic controllers, but in mid-May, the shortage resulted in as few as three being on shift.
Seventy percent of Newark’s flights are from United Airlines. The airline has welcomed the restrictions in a statement acknowledging that reducing flights will increase safety.
Despite the tech outages and staffing shortages, officials have stated that the airport is safe.
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