(NewsNation) — Because of the ongoing problems at Newark Airport, including the controller shortage and runway construction, the FAA is proposing a cut in the number of flights per hour at the airport.
The FAA is proposing a flight cap of 56 flights per hour (28 arrivals and 28 departures) until June 15 on weekdays when the runway construction is supposed to be completed. The limit will go from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 on the weekends. After June 15, through the summer of 2025, the proposal calls for 68 flights per hour (34 departures, 34 arrivals).
The FAA said it believes that this proposal would reduce overscheduling, flight delays, and cancellations to an acceptable level at EWR and ensure the efficient use of the national airspace system,” the FAA wrote in a proposal document filed in the Federal Register. The comment period goes through May 28.
Today, the FAA is holding a meeting with airlines to discuss flight reductions, specifically at Newark. “The Administrator has determined… that EWR is unacceptably congested airport due to current circumstances and that a scheduling reduction meeting is necessary in order to discuss flight reductions in an effort to reduce overscheduling and flight delays at EWR during peak operating hours,” the agency wrote in the document.
Recently, the FAA implemented what it calls “significant changes” to increase air traffic control staffing by offering hiring incentives and starting training programs.
“Due to the volume of originating and destination flights in the New York City region, as well as the interdependency and complexity of the airspace surrounding EWR and other New York area airports, delays caused in part by N90 staffing shortfalls are expected to continue affecting carriers’ ability to operate and continue to frustrate the traveling public,” wrote the FAA.
While transportation officials warn some of the ongoing problems could cause problems at other airports across the nation, they say the issues at Newark are the worst.
According to the FAA, since April 15, cancellations at EWR are occurring at a rate of one to four per hour, with an increase in the afternoon and evening, averaging about 34 arrival cancellations per day. The number of delayed arrivals is consistently high, beginning with an average of five in the 7:00 a.m. hour and increasing throughout the day to an average of 16 between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. The average delay duration is 85 minutes at 7:00 a.m. and increases to 137 minutes at 5:00 p.m. This rate declines, but holds, at about 100 minutes per flight at the end of the day.