FAA caps Newark flights at 56 per hour amid surge in delays

The Federal Aviation Administration cut the number of flights allowed at Newark Liberty International Airport to 56 an hour this week, after weeks of delays tied to controller staffing shortages, equipment problems and runway construction. The interim order took effect May 20 and set a temporary ceiling of 28 arrivals and 28 departures an hour at one of the New York region's busiest airports. Newark had been able to handle 77 total hourly operations under normal conditions, the FAA said. The reduction came as thunderstorms added fresh disruption on May 21, with FlightAware showing 83 delays and 14 cancellations at Newark by 7 p.m. that evening. ### How much did the FAA cut Newark's traffic? The FAA's May 20 order reduced Newark's hourly flow from 77 combined takeoffs and landings to 56. The agency said the cap was intended to relieve "substantial inconvenience" to travelers from excessive delays and to prevent Newark congestion from spreading through the wider U.S. air traffic system. (federalregister.gov) The new limit is split evenly between arrivals and departures: 28 flights in and 28 flights out each hour. CNBC reported the FAA planned to raise that rate to 34 arrivals and 34 departures an hour after June 15, when the most intensive daily runway construction was expected to end. ### Why did Newark get capped now? The Federal Register notice published May 23 said the FAA acted because Newark had a persistent number of flights above capacity. (federalregister.gov) The agency cited construction, staffing challenges and recent equipment issues as the factors driving repeated delays. (cnbc.com) ABC's Philadelphia station, citing the FAA order, reported the cut followed weeks of delays caused by air traffic controller staffing shortages and runway construction. Other coverage at the time said the airport had also been dealing with radio and radar glitches, adding to pressure on a facility already operating with fewer available runways. (federalregister.gov) ### What role is the runway project playing? Runway 4L-22R at Newark entered a major rehabilitation project in 2025 to meet FAA safety standards, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Port Authority said the full closure phase was the most disruptive part of the project, and that work was accelerated with additional crews and round-the-clock construction. (6abc.com) The FAA said daily construction on that runway was scheduled to continue until June 15, 2025, with Saturday construction then continuing through the end of the year. During the construction period, only the airport's two remaining runways were available, subject to weather conditions. ### How bad were the delays on May 21? NJ.com reported that by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, the FAA was showing departure delays of 60 minutes and increasing at Newark. (panynj.gov) By 7 p.m., FlightAware listed 83 delayed flights and 14 canceled flights, and by 8 p.m. those totals had risen to 86 delays and 22 cancellations. (faa.gov) NorthJersey.com also published a same-day tracker for Newark and LaGuardia as weather and other operational problems rippled across the region's airports. Newark's issues were unfolding just ahead of the Memorial Day travel period, when airlines typically run fuller schedules. (nj.com) ### How long is the reduced schedule supposed to last? The FAA's interim order said the 56-flight cap took effect May 20, 2025, and would remain in place until a final order was issued. Subsequent FAA statements said the agency confirmed reduced rates through 2025 after a public comment period and discussions with airlines. (northjersey.com) The next operational milestone is June 15, when the FAA said daily runway construction was expected to end. After that date, Newark's hourly limits were set to rise, while Saturday construction restrictions were scheduled to remain in place through Dec. 31, 2025. (faa.gov) (federalregister.gov)