Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to temporarily reduce flight traffic at Newark Liberty International Airport over the coming weeks due to ongoing radar outages and a critical shortage of air traffic controllers. Speaking during an appearance on a national news program, Duffy explained that the reductions will vary, with more significant cuts occurring in the afternoons when international flight arrivals typically increase airport congestion.
“Our main goal is to ensure that if a traveler books a flight, it will take off as scheduled,” Duffy said. “We don’t want people stuck at the airport for hours, only to face delays.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that radar at a Philadelphia facility guiding Newark flights lost functionality for 90 seconds early Friday morning, echoing a similar outage that occurred on April 28. Since mid-April, Newark has averaged 34 flight cancellations per day, with delays growing more frequent as the day progresses — starting with about five in the mornings and increasing to around 16 in the evenings. Delays can last anywhere from 85 to 137 minutes.
To address the larger issue of staffing shortages, Duffy revealed plans to raise the mandatory retirement age for air traffic controllers from 56 to 61, offering a 20% upfront bonus to encourage experienced personnel to remain on the job longer. Many air traffic controllers currently retire after 25 years of service, often around age 50, contributing to a nationwide shortfall of approximately 3,000 controllers.
“These aren’t changes that will fix the issue overnight,” Duffy said. “But by extending careers and continuing to train new staff, we’ll close the gap over time.”
This move contrasts with broader federal efforts to reduce the government workforce, although exceptions are being made in aviation for safety reasons. The administration has also proposed a multibillion-dollar modernization plan for the nation’s air traffic control system, including the construction of six new control centers and system-wide technology upgrades within the next few years.
An airline executive praised Duffy for prioritizing safety and for insulating FAA operations from federal budget reductions. The airline has already adjusted its schedule at Newark and plans to meet with Duffy later this week. The executive anticipates further reductions through at least mid-June, aligning with the expected completion of runway construction, but believes some reductions may continue into the summer.
“We’ve reduced flight volume, but safety remains our top priority,” the executive said. “What concerns us now are the delays and how they’ll impact travelers.”