FAA reduces Newark capacity to 56

The Federal Aviation Administration cut Newark Liberty International Airport’s hourly flight rate to 56 operations under an interim order issued on May 20, 2025, after weeks of disruption tied to staffing and runway work. The order set a ceiling of 28 arrivals and 28 departures per hour while construction continued on Runway 4-Left/22-Right, the FAA said. (faa.gov) The agency said the limit was intended to reduce excessive delays for travelers. Newark is one of the three main airports serving the New York City area. The reduction came as the region was also dealing with weather-related delays and a separate runway problem at LaGuardia Airport. (faa.gov) On May 20, 2026, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said a sinkhole discovered near Runway 4/22 forced the closure of one of LaGuardia’s two runways. The Port Authority said travelers should expect delays and cancellations, with thunderstorms also affecting operations. ### Why did the FAA set Newark at 56 flights an hour? The FAA said on May 20, 2025 that Newark’s maximum hourly rate would be 28 arrivals and 28 departures until runway construction was complete. The agency said daily construction was scheduled to end on June 15, 2025, though Saturday work would continue through the end of that year. (faa.gov) Outside the construction period, the FAA set a higher rate of 34 arrivals and 34 departures until Oct. 25, 2025. The FAA said in a later June 6, 2025 order that the reduced rates were meant to maintain safety and ease excessive delays linked to staffing and equipment challenges. (cnbc.com) The agency said the early completion of runway construction would also help operations run more efficiently. ### How far below normal is that cap? The FAA’s later September 25, 2025 update said Newark’s hourly limit was increased from 68 to 72 operations under an extended order through Oct. 24, 2026. That means the 56-flight interim cap was materially below the level the airport was later allowed to handle outside the most acute construction period. The agency tied both sets of limits to congestion and controller staffing pressures. (faa.gov) A Department of Transportation release on controller hiring said Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s staffing program was aimed at adding at least 2,200 new air traffic controllers in fiscal 2026 as part of a broader hiring push. (faa.gov) The department has described controller shortages as a national issue, not one limited to Newark. ### What did passengers see on the ground this week? NorthJersey.com reported on May 21, 2026 that Newark and LaGuardia were dealing with delays and cancellations a day after severe weather and infrastructure problems hit the region. The outlet said FlightAware showed 172 delayed and 76 canceled Newark flights as of Thursday morning. (faa.gov) NJ.com reported that by 4 p.m. Wednesday, the FAA was showing Newark departure delays of 60 minutes and increasing. The outlet said conditions worsened by 7 p.m., when FlightAware data showed 83 delayed flights and 14 cancellations at Newark. (transportation.gov) ### What was happening at LaGuardia? The Port Authority said on May 20, 2026 that crews found a sinkhole near LaGuardia’s Runway 4/22 during a daily inspection and shut the runway immediately. CNBC reported the closure affected one of LaGuardia’s two runways ahead of the Memorial Day travel period. The Port Authority said emergency construction and engineering crews were sent to determine the cause and complete repairs. (northjersey.com) Airlines were already adjusting. CNBC reported that Southwest expected about 20 arrivals to be delayed that day, while Delta said it had issued a weather waiver for New York City-area flights and allowed customers to rebook through Sunday. (nj.com) ### Where should travelers look next? The FAA airport-status page for Newark showed current operating conditions on May 22, 2026 and is one of the agency’s public sources for delay information. Newark Liberty’s airport site also posts real-time arrivals and departures, including gate and delay updates. The FAA’s Newark statements page tracks formal orders and later changes to flight limits, including the June 6, 2025 final order and the September 25, 2025 extension through Oct. 24, 2026. (cnbc.com) (faa.gov)