FAA plans to limit number of aircraft arriving at Newark Airport to 28 per hour
The proposal to modify scheduling comes amid flight delays and congestion issues at the airport.
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The Federal Aviation Administration announced plans to limit the number of aircraft arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport to 28 per hour.
The proposal to modify scheduling comes amid flight delays and congestion issues at the airport.
FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau addressed a group of airline representatives this week, explaining that aging equipment, staffing shortages, ongoing runway construction and severe congestion were causing issues.
The proposed arrival rate is a maximum of 28 aircraft per hour until the daily construction is complete on June 15.
Construction will continue on Saturdays until the end of the year, according to the FAA.
Outside of that construction period, the maximum arrival rate would be 34 aircraft per hour until Oct. 25.
Discussions included representatives from United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air.
A final determination on Newark arrival rates will be available on or after May 28.
The FAA says it is "taking action" in the following ways:
"Adding three new, high-bandwidth telecommunications connections between the New York-based STARS and the Philadelphia TRACON. This will provide more speed, reliability and redundancy."
"Replacing copper telecommunications connections with updated fiberoptic technology that also have greater bandwidth and speed.
"Deploying a temporary backup system to the Philadelphia TRACON that will provide redundancy during the switch to a more reliable fiberoptic network.
"Establishing a STARS hub at the Philadelphia TRACON so that the facility does not depend on a telecommunications feed from the New York STARS hub.
"Increasing controller staffing. Philadelphia TRACON Area C, which directs aircraft in and out of Newark, has 22 fully certified controllers, 5 fully certified supervisors, and 21 controllers and supervisors in training. Ten of those 21 controllers and supervisors are receiving on-the-job training. All 10 are certified on at least one position in Area C and three are certified on multiple positions. This means they can work those positions without supervision from an instructor. We have a healthy pipeline of controllers, with training classes filled through July 2026."
