Newark Airport. Photo: Shutterstock The New York Emergency Authority has announced that Newark Airport is operating under a limited Ground Delay Program today, due to a severe staff shortage in the control tower.
As a result, the landing rate has been restricted to 20 planes per hour during the afternoon, with an anticipated increase in the evening hours.
The average delay for inbound flights is about two hours, but some flights have reported delays of over three hours.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has expressed concern about a potential shift to a full ground stop if staff shortages or increased flight demand occur later today.
The delays are expected to impact overall aviation activity in the New York area. Flights destined for Newark may already face delays at their origin airports, while departures from Newark may be delayed due to congestion at the gates. Such situations typically result in a chain of delays at both JFK and LaGuardia airports.
The Emergency Authority advises travelers planning to fly through, from, or to the New York area to check flight statuses before heading to the airport and prepare for extended wait times.
Newark Airport. Photo: ShutterstockAlmost 13,000 air traffic controllers in the United States have been working for 31 days without pay while continuing to ensure the safety of over 50,000 daily movements in the national airspace system.