Newark Liberty International Airport is bracing for a chaotic Sunday as staffing shortages in its control tower are expected to wreak havoc on flight operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has slapped a restrictive limit of 20 planes per hour, crippling arrivals and forcing airlines to navigate treacherous air traffic conditions.
The nationwide air traffic system is reeling from the impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown, with staffing shortages piling pressure on already strained resources. As a result, travelers can expect average delays of two hours or more, with some flights stuck on the ground for over three hours. The FAA has issued a stark warning that the slowdown could escalate into a full ground stop if staffing issues persist or demand surges later in the day.
The ripple effect is being felt far and wide, with nearby airports including JFK and LaGuardia also bracing for delays. Planes bound for Newark may be forced to hold at their departure airports, while arrivals may be delayed if arriving flights struggle to secure gates promptly.
In a scathing critique of the FAA's handling of the crisis, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has blamed Republican inaction and the resulting shutdown on the nation's air traffic system. "They fired more than 200,000 federal employees prior to shutting down the government," he said during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." "And why are Republicans so unwilling to have a conversation with their Democratic colleagues on Capitol Hill to find a bipartisan path forward? It's because they're trying to inflict this cruelty on the American people."
With the situation showing no signs of improvement, travelers are urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport and prepare for longer-than-usual wait times. The drama is being played out in other airports as well, with a recent incident at LaGuardia involving a United plane that clipped another on the tarmac.
The nationwide air traffic system is reeling from the impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown, with staffing shortages piling pressure on already strained resources. As a result, travelers can expect average delays of two hours or more, with some flights stuck on the ground for over three hours. The FAA has issued a stark warning that the slowdown could escalate into a full ground stop if staffing issues persist or demand surges later in the day.
The ripple effect is being felt far and wide, with nearby airports including JFK and LaGuardia also bracing for delays. Planes bound for Newark may be forced to hold at their departure airports, while arrivals may be delayed if arriving flights struggle to secure gates promptly.
In a scathing critique of the FAA's handling of the crisis, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has blamed Republican inaction and the resulting shutdown on the nation's air traffic system. "They fired more than 200,000 federal employees prior to shutting down the government," he said during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." "And why are Republicans so unwilling to have a conversation with their Democratic colleagues on Capitol Hill to find a bipartisan path forward? It's because they're trying to inflict this cruelty on the American people."
With the situation showing no signs of improvement, travelers are urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport and prepare for longer-than-usual wait times. The drama is being played out in other airports as well, with a recent incident at LaGuardia involving a United plane that clipped another on the tarmac.
I feel so bad for all those travelers who are going to be stuck in airports for hours! 
The FAA needs to step up their game ASAP 
and find a solution to these staffing shortages. I'm literally cringing just thinking about the delays and frustration people will have to deal with today 
. And can we talk about how unfair it is that this is happening right before Christmas?! 
How are they supposed to enjoy the holidays with all these flight cancellations and delays?! 
And what really gets me is that this isn't just affecting air travelers; it's also impacting people who work in the industry and their families.
But seriously, let's hope that politicians can come together soon and find a solution to these issues. We don't need more stress in our lives! 
Newark is gonna be a zoo on Sunday and it's not just them, JFK and LaGuardia are feeling the heat too! The FAA should've been better prepared for this, I mean we all knew the shutdown was gonna cause issues. But still, 20 planes an hour? that's like, what even is that? 
. I'm low-key worried about my own flights this weekend 
It's like, come on guys, let's not make air travel a total nightmare for everyone! 
They're always talking about bipartisan solutions, but when it comes down to it, they can't even agree on the simplest things. Like, why are we still having this massive shutdown? Can't they just talk it out and get something done?
️ Oh man, I'm so sick of this federal shutdown already! 20 planes an hour? That's insane! 
