Newark Airport Flight Cuts Spark Memorial Day Travel Chaos

Newark Airport Cuts Flights Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend Newark Liberty International Airport is reducing the number of incoming and outgoing flights due to multiple recent air traffic control outages. This decision, announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), comes just before the busy Memorial Day weekend, raising concerns about potential travel disruptions. The FAA has capped the number of arrivals and departures at 28 per hour, a significant reduction from the usual 40 or more flights during peak hours. This follows weeks of delays and staffing issues at the airport, adding to the pre-existing challenges. "This decision was not a surprise, especially after the FAA met with airlines last week to address ongoing delays," said an unnamed source familiar with the situation. The reduction is expected to impact thousands of travelers, particularly those planning to fly out of Newark during the Memorial Day weekend, which is predicted to be a record-breaking travel period. AAA estimates that 45.1 million Americans will travel domestically, with 3.6 million flying. The FAA is working to upgrade its telecommunications network and increase controller staffing to improve the situation. While the flight cuts are disruptive, the FAA's proactive measures to address the underlying issues demonstrate a commitment to improving air travel safety and efficiency. The agency's efforts to increase staffing and modernize its infrastructure will hopefully lead to a more reliable and efficient air travel system in the future.