Why all the delays at Newark Liberty International Airport? Air traffic controller shortage may be to blame

More delays were reported Sunday at 11 a.m. with total delays topping over 370.

Lauren Due and Amanda Lee

Jul 29, 2024, 9:17 AM

Updated 40 days ago

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Staffing changes for air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport could be the cause of significant delays for travelers.
Hundreds of delays were reported at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday and Monday. It follows Sunday's relocation of a dozen air traffic controllers from the New York area to Philadelphia.
The FAA argues the relocation will help to alleviate short staffing in the New York area.
It believes that over time, it will create more efficiency for travelers. But the National Air Traffic Controllers Association says it will only make the staffing shortage worse.
Traveler Nita Wadhwani says she was delayed more than 24 hours for an international flight.
"It's exhausting, it's tiring, and I'm really not sure what's going on with the air traffic control," she says.
Other travelers say they saw delays from about 20 minutes to three hours.