Newark airport runway project wraps up early, so when will flight limits ease?
Share this @internewscast.com

A major construction project on one of Newark Liberty International Airport’s primary runways has been completed nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, allowing the Federal Aviation Administration to potentially relax flight restrictions soon. However, the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers might still pose challenges.

Officials from the Federal Transportation Department, along with the United Airlines CEO and airport representatives, are set to provide a status update on the airport’s operations today, one of the three significant airports serving the New York City area. The runway’s reopening is slated for today, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The construction teams operated around the clock to finish the $121 million project early and alleviate some of the airport’s issues. Despite this progress, Newark has faced numerous cancellations and delays this spring due to a lack of air traffic controllers following technical faults at the FAA. These faults twice temporarily disrupted radar and communications at a Philadelphia facility that guides planes to and from the airport.

“Completing this major portion of the runway rehabilitation 13 days ahead of schedule is a testament to the extraordinary commitment and around-the-clock efforts of construction crews and our airport staff,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.

The FAA didn’t immediately answer questions Monday morning about when operations might change at the Newark airport.

Five air traffic controllers went on 45-day trauma leaves after the first radar and communications outage at the Philadelphia facility on April 28, and another one is out on medical leave. That left the facility with only 16 certified controllers and five supervisors. Officials have said there are another 16 experienced controllers in training that should get certified sometime between now and October.

The FAA limited the Newark airport to 28 arrivals and 28 departures an hour last month because of the construction and staff shortages. The agency has said that it expects to be able to bump up the number of flights daily in Newark to 34 arrivals and 34 departures once the runway construction is done. But it’s not immediately clear if the FAA will have to wait until the controllers on trauma leave are scheduled to return around the middle of the month.

Before the air traffic control problems this spring, 38 or 39 flights typically took off and landed hourly at the Newark airport.

The FAA has said it will revisit the limits again in October because it hopes to have more controllers trained by then.

The government also upgraded the software at the air traffic control facility after a second radar outage on May 9. That helped prevent a repeat problem on May 11 when there was another problem with the lines carrying the radar signal down from New York.

Verizon has installed a new fiber optic line between Philadelphia and New York after the problems but that isn’t expected to go into service until July after testing is completed.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mandatory evacuation orders in effect as 1,000-acre wildfire threatens Grand Canyon's North Rim

Evacuation Orders Issued as 1,000-Acre Wildfire Nears Grand Canyon’s North Rim

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is temporarily closed as mandatory…
California clinic staffers seek to shield ICE agents from detaining Honduran landscaper

California Clinic Employees Strive to Protect Honduran Landscaper from ICE Detention

At a surgical center in California, staff members were recorded on video…
Trump grants ICE ability to arrest protesters who attack agents after California pot farm raid

ICE Empowered to Arrest Protesters Following California Pot Farm Raid

President Trump declared on Friday that he is giving Immigration and Customs…
Group of friends celebrating with sparklers and drinks at night.

Secret Drones Could Lead to $100k Fines for July 4 Celebrations in America

AMERICANS could be slapped with fines up to $100,000 depending on how…
Photo of a man and his granddaughter.

Granddaughter’s Desperate Appeal After Grandfather Disappears Following 8,000-Mile Journey for Her Graduation

A grandfather vanished just a day after undertaking a journey of over…
Zohran Mamdani’s campaign persona called into question by vote to give himself raise: critics

Critics Question Zohran Mamdani’s Authenticity After He Votes for His Own Pay Raise

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani approved a significant increase in his state…
DOGE sprouts in red states, as governors embrace the cost-cutter brand and make it their own

Red States Adopt DOGE as Cost-Saving Measure, Endorsed by Governors

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — During the tumultuous early days of President Donald…
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed shortly after his capture.

Guantanamo Bay Trial May Lead to Death Sentence for 9/11 Architect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

THE chief architect of the 9/11 terrorist attacks could be sentenced to death after…
Soldier walking past Patriot air defense systems at a military hub.

Russia Claims Trump is ‘Backing Terrorists’ Following US Decision to Send Weapons and Patriots to Ukraine Through NATO

RUSSIA has lashed out at Donald Trump after the US president agreed…
Federal judge restricts LAPD from targeting journalists with force at immigration protests

Federal Judge Prohibits LAPD from Using Force Against Journalists During Immigration Protests

A federal judge in Los Angeles, appointed by former President Joe Biden,…
Texas family mourns 'shining light' 8-year-old daughter confirmed dead in Camp Mystic flood disaster

Texas Family Grieves Loss of Beloved 8-Year-Old Daughter in Camp Mystic Flood Tragedy

The family of 8-year-old Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal confirmed to Fox News Digital…
Nigel Farage on a boat, pointing towards a distant ship.

Farage Criticizes Macron’s Migrant Agreement, Claims It Pulls the UK Back Towards the EU

NIGEL Farage last night blasted Emmanuel Macron for blaming the small boats…