United Airlines Cancels 35 Daily Flights from Newark Airport

NEWARK- United Airlines (UA) has canceled 35 daily flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) amid escalating disruptions caused by air traffic control staffing shortages. The decision follows a week of severe delays and cancellations at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

United’s CEO, Scott Kirby, cited persistent technological failures and understaffing at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the reason for this operational rollback. Newark’s limited controller availability, with over 20% reportedly off duty, left the airport unable to manage its scheduled flight volume.

Photo: JFK Spotting

United Cuts 35 Flights

United Airlines (UA), a dominant carrier at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), has reduced its schedule by 35 round-trip flights per day due to long-standing air traffic control (ATC) staffing challenges.

The move comes after technology failures and workforce shortages led to widespread delays, diversions, and cancellations over the past week.

Kirby addressed customers directly, outlining how FAA systems critical to air traffic management failed repeatedly. The situation was exacerbated when a significant portion of EWR’s already stretched controller staff became unavailable.

According to United, the FAA has confirmed that, without these personnel, Newark cannot support its planned flight operations in the near term.

United has urged the FAA for years to cap the number of flights at EWR in line with its handling capacity. Although the airline supports federal efforts to modernize FAA systems, Kirby emphasized that structural issues at Newark need immediate action.

He called for the airport to be designated as a slot-controlled, Level 3 facility — a classification that limits flight activity to reduce congestion.

Photo: JFK Spotting

Workforce Problem

The FAA’s Newark-based air traffic control facility has struggled with chronic understaffing for years. According to FAA data, arriving flights at EWR faced average delays of nearly two hours last week, with departures delayed by 45 minutes on average.

United’s statement noted that these delays are not new but have reached a critical level. This week’s disruption stems from both system outages and the controller walkouts.

The compounded effect has forced United to cut back its schedule further — a difficult but necessary step to stabilize operations and minimize additional customer impact.

Federal Action and Industry Response

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently visited air traffic controllers and acknowledged outdated systems as a key issue. The Department of Transportation announced a new initiative to recruit more controllers and retain existing ones through incentives, aiming to restore adequate staffing levels nationally.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association welcomed these efforts but stressed the urgent need for broader upgrades. In the meantime, airlines like United are left to adapt with reduced schedules, frustrated travelers, and operational uncertainty.

The timing couldn’t be worse for the industry, which is already managing fluctuating travel demand and economic uncertainty. United has offered dual financial forecasts for the year—one assuming a recession, one without—highlighting the volatile landscape.

Newark Liberty International Airport; Photo: Victoria Airport Parking

Newark’s Role in United’s Global Network

Despite the current crisis, United Airlines remains committed to its long-term presence at EWR. Newark serves as a major hub, connecting passengers to 76 U.S. cities and 81 international destinations. The airline praised its frontline teams and FAA personnel still working through these difficulties to keep operations running.

United maintains that, with FAA action and investment, Newark can fulfill its potential as a premier U.S. gateway. But for now, with controller shortages unresolved, it must scale back flights to ensure a more predictable experience for customers.

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