Newark Liberty tops Northeast on-time

United Airlines said on June 2 that Newark Liberty International Airport has had the most on-time flights among major Northeast airports so far in 2026, a claim the carrier used to underscore the airport’s recovery after last year’s disruptions. The airline, Newark’s largest carrier, said it also recorded its best-ever on-time rate at the airport in April and May while flying nearly 5.8 million passengers there. The figures were released in a company statement as the carrier heads into the summer travel season, when it expects more than 53 million travelers across its network. Federal Aviation Administration actions taken in 2025 — including staffing changes, technology work and flight caps — helped stabilize the operation, according to the airline and the agency. ### How did Newark go from a delay story to an on-time one? Last spring, Newark faced FAA radar and radio outages, air traffic control staffing shortages and runway construction that led to delays, diversions and cancellations, United said. The airline said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA responded by improving staffing, upgrading airport technology and limiting flights so schedules better matched the airport’s capacity. (prnewswire.com) The FAA said on July 3, 2025 that it had moved Newark operations onto a new fiber-optic communications network between New York and the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, which directs aircraft into and out of Newark. The agency said the upgrade added resiliency through two separate communications paths so equipment could continue operating if one path was disrupted. (prnewswire.com) ### What did the FAA actually change at Newark? The FAA said on June 6, 2025 that it finalized limits on arrivals and departures at Newark through the end of 2025 to maintain safety and reduce excessive delays tied to staffing and equipment problems. The agency later extended that framework through October 24, 2026, saying in a September 25, 2025 statement that the move was meant to make operations more efficient and reduce delays for travelers. (faa.gov) The September 2025 FAA order increased the hourly flight limit from 68 to 72 operations while keeping scheduling limits in place. The agency said the restrictions were intended to align traffic levels with what the airport and air traffic system could handle more reliably. ### What is United saying about its own Newark performance? (faa.gov) United said on June 2 that it achieved its best-ever on-time rate at Newark in both April and May. The airline said that performance came while it carried nearly 5.8 million passengers through Newark, a figure that made the airport central to its summer operating message. (faa.gov) Scott Kirby, United’s chief executive, said in the statement that “Newark has operated better than it ever has” and credited the improvement to FAA and Transportation Department actions as well as the work of the airline’s nearly 15,000 local employees. Kirby also called Newark the “crown jewel” of United’s international network and a gateway to dozens of overseas destinations. (prnewswire.com) ### How big is Newark in United’s network right now? United said Newark connects customers to nearly 320 cities across North, South and Central America and the Caribbean, including 120 destinations with one stop. The airline said it carried a record 3 million passengers across its network over the Memorial Day holiday, with nearly 70% of customers arriving on time. (prnewswire.com) The carrier said it expects more than 53 million travelers this summer and is continuing to invest in onboard products and customer technology, including Starlink and its mobile app. Those network-wide figures were included alongside the Newark data as United sought to show that the airport’s rebound is happening during a broader peak-travel period. (prnewswire.com) ### What comes next at Newark? The FAA’s current operating limits at Newark remain in effect through October 24, 2026, under the agency’s September 25, 2025 order. United Chief Executive Scott Kirby also outlined plans this week to pursue more flights at Newark and work with partners on a new Terminal B, according to NJ.com’s June 2 report. (faa.gov) (prnewswire.com)