Passengers traveling with United Airlines experienced extensive delays once again on Friday, as staffing issues among air traffic controllers led to significant disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, the airline’s primary hub.
As of midday Friday, over 200 flights arriving and departing from Newark were delayed, compounding the more than 1,300 delays and cancellations reported earlier in the week, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware. United Airlines indicated that a combination of FAA technology outages, construction work on the runways, and high winds contributed to these disruptions, necessitating the diversion of at least 21 flights.
The FAA reported that staffing was the underlying issue on Friday, although the agency has not provided immediate comments on the situation.
As one of the busiest airports in the nation, Newark has been a focal point for United CEO Scott Kirby, who has consistently raised concerns regarding the shortage of air traffic controllers.
In an effort to address the persistent staffing shortages affecting air traffic controllers, the Transportation Department announced a new series of incentives on Thursday. This issue, which has been exacerbated by training pauses during the COVID-19 pandemic, has lingered for several years.
To mitigate the impact of the Newark disruptions, United Airlines has announced that it will waive change fees and fare differences for affected customers.
