### Newark Airport Flight Restrictions Extended Amid Delays and Cancellations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that air traffic restrictions at Newark Liberty International Airport will persist through the end of 2025, in response to recent flight delays and cancellations.

Starting immediately, flights at Newark will be capped at 34 departures and 34 arrivals per hour until October 25, as per the latest announcement. Additionally, during runway construction on weekends from September 1 through December 31, the limit will be further reduced to 28 departures and 28 arrivals per hour. This is notably lower compared to the previous peak times, where the airport managed as many as 77 departures and arrivals each hour.

The FAA attributes these restrictions to persistent "staffing and equipment" issues, and maintains that the reduced rates are essential to ensuring safety and alleviating flight delays. Initially announced on May 20, just before Memorial Day, the FAA said that the reduction in flight rates led to smooth travel through Newark during the busy holiday period.

United Airlines, the largest carrier at Newark, previously supported the restrictions, emphasizing their importance in maintaining safe and reliable operations. Earlier this year, United had cut its number of daily flights from around 600 to just under 300 amid the airport's operational chaos. The airline plans to slightly increase its flight numbers once the current runway construction is completed.

Currently, two runways at Newark are partially under construction, with work primarily occurring during nights and weekends to minimize disruption. Recently, a third runway, which had been shut down since March for a $121 million refurbishment, reopened nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.

The airport's recent delays have also been exacerbated by a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers and several outages at the air traffic control center, which caused blackouts of radio and radar coverage.