Travelers Warned to Avoid Newark Airport Amid Staffing Crisis

A veteran air traffic controller has issued a stark warning that Newark Liberty International Airport is currently 'not safe' for travelers, citing severe staffing shortages that have led to ongoing delays and cancellations. The airport, a major hub in the New York City area, has lost more than 20% of its air traffic controllers in recent weeks, with United Airlines responding by canceling 35 roundtrip flights daily. The Federal Aviation Administration attributes these disruptions to both the staffing crisis and runway construction, while United's CEO emphasized the facility has been chronically understaffed for years. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently visited the airport and announced new hiring incentives to address the national shortfall of air traffic controllers, but experts warn that resolving the issue will take time. The FAA and airport officials have advised travelers to expect continued disruptions, and some officials have gone so far as to urge the public to avoid flying into Newark for the time being. The crisis underscores broader challenges facing the U.S. air traffic control system as it struggles to keep pace with travel demand.