The carrier says Newark traffic is bogged down due to a lack of air traffic controllers.
A United Boeing 767-300 departs from Newark (Photo: Shutterstock | KMarsh)
United released a statement Tuesday calling for more Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers at the approach facility for Newark, where the carrier says a staffing shortage is forcing reduced traffic flows to its hub.
In the airline’s statement shared to X/Twitter by Reuters’ David Shepardson, the carrier said this has impacted the last 12 days in November alone, including last Friday through Monday.
“The FAA shortage has been especially acute at its TRACON center for Newark airspace, forcing it to reduce traffic flows to our Newark hub so that FAA can manage air traffic safely,” United said. “… This is why it continues to be imperative for FAA to rebuild staffing levels so travelers can depend on safe, efficient air travel.”
New: @united sends out statement on @FAANews ATC staffing issues at Newark causing “significant disruption” pic.twitter.com/rECONIjxzk
— David Shepardson (@davidshepardson) November 26, 2024
According to a report by The Air Current, several Newark air traffic controllers have claimed recent equipment failures and radar outages have traumatized them, leading to workers’ compensation claims and paid leave. The Newark sector has long undergone understaffing issues due to cultural and workplace problems, The Air Current also reports.
United said understaffing at the FAA is causing significant disruptions for its travelers during the already busy holiday travel season at the Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The airline said that since Nov. 1, over 343,000 United travelers have been disrupted by delays, cancellations, long taxi times, and longer flight times related to air traffic control delays for Newark.
“This is more than 28,000 customers disrupted on each day of air traffic control staffing shortfalls,” the carrier continued.
On Nov. 15 alone, United said 1,800 customers were disrupted by canceled flights, and over 24,000 were disrupted by gate and taxi delays.
“On Nov. 23 alone, gate delays, taxiing or air delays disrupted 45,644 customers,” the carrier continued. “In November, on normal days our flights arrived an average of 5 minutes early. On days with FAA staffing triggers, that fell to an average of 25 minutes late.”
United says it has been working closely with the FAA to share schedule information so they can adjust their traffic management initiatives.
“The single most consequential thing anyone can do to improve the flying experience is to fully staff the FAA,” United’s statement concluded.
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