Newark airport runway to reopen Monday after construction

A RUNWAY ahead of schedule following several chaotic weeks of equipment outages, runway construction and air traffic control staffing shortages that caused flight cancellations, diversions and delays, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

Newark Liberty, one of the main airports serving New York City, is about 9 miles (14.5 km) from Manhattan.

Duffy said on Friday (May 30) the runway will reopen nearly two weeks ahead of the Jun 15 target. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a reduction in flights to a maximum of 28 arrivals per hour and 28 departures per hour until runway construction is completed. After that, the maximum arrival and departure rates will rise to 34 per hour until Oct 25.

Operations at Newark have improved significantly after the federal government imposed flight cuts following a series of major disruptions, Duffy said this week.

Under normal circumstances, Newark could handle 77 total flights per hour.

“If you book, I think you’re going to fly in Newark – you’re not going to see what you saw a couple weeks ago,” Duffy said.

Newark is a major hub for United Airlines, which operates nearly 70% of the airport’s flights. United has sharply cut flights at the airport.

The FAA last year relocated control of Newark’s airspace to Philadelphia to address staffing and congested New York City-area traffic. The facility in Philadelphia that oversees Newark airspace has faced numerous technology issues.

Newark in recent weeks had often suffered delays of five or more hours and dozens of daily canceled or delayed flights. Nationwide, the FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers below targeted staffing levels.

The area overseeing Newark has a targeted staffing level of 38 certified controllers, but currently has just 22 in place, six of whom are on stress or medical leave now, Duffy said. REUTERS