The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented a temporary cap on flights at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to alleviate growing travel disruptions ahead of the busy summer season. Effective immediately through mid-June, the airport will be restricted to 56 total flights per hour — 28 takeoffs and 28 landings — significantly down from the usual 77. This reduction aims to ease delays and improve overall efficiency at one of the country’s busiest air travel hubs. Once runway construction concludes on June 15, the FAA will increase the limit slightly to 68 hourly operations through October.
Runway Renovations, Staffing Shortages, and Technical Failures Disrupt Newark Flights
This decision follows weeks of travel difficulties caused by a combination of ongoing runway renovations, staff shortages, and technical failures at the Philadelphia air traffic control (ATC) center, which manages Newark’s airspace. Communication outages from the center led to safety concerns and prompted some controllers to take leave. These challenges, compounded by peak demand, created a cascade of delays and cancellations that have impacted thousands of passengers and forced airlines to adjust operations.
FAA Cuts Newark Flights to Ease Delays During Runway Repairs and Summer Travel SurgeUnited Airlines, which operates a major hub at Newark, proactively removed 35 daily round-trip flights from its schedule and urged the FAA to enforce similar reductions among competitors. In response, the FAA met with representatives from seven major airlines last week to discuss coordinated efforts to reduce schedules and manage congestion. The imposed flight cap, representing a 27% cut during construction and 12% afterward, will require carriers to cancel, delay, or re-time flights to comply with the reduced capacity.
Flexible Rebooking Options and Passenger Rights Amid Ongoing Newark Flight Disruptions
Passengers flying through EWR are facing significant adjustments as airlines issue travel advisories and rebooking waivers. United extended its travel advisory through May 23, allowing eligible travelers to rebook through alternative airports such as LaGuardia (LGA) or Philadelphia (PHL) without additional fees. JetBlue and Delta have also offered flexible rebooking options through late May and mid-June, respectively. These measures are meant to ease passenger burdens and mitigate dissatisfaction as the Memorial Day weekend — a key travel period — approaches.
Despite recent improvements, such as a decrease in flight delays, the situation remains fluid. To reduce future disruptions, the FAA has implemented temporary technology fixes and is pursuing funding for broader infrastructure updates. Passengers affected by cancellations or significant delays are entitled to full refunds under U.S. Department of Transportation rules if they choose not to travel.
However, compensation for additional expenses like hotels or meals remains limited unless covered by travel insurance, which some premium credit cards provide. Travelers are advised to monitor airline communications closely and consider backup options.
