NEWARK, NJ — Newark Liberty International Airport has been thrown into disarray as air traffic controllers staged a walkout to protest what they call years of mismanagement during the Biden administration.
The mass action, which began last week, has triggered thousands of flight delays and cancellations, leading New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to urgently request federal assistance from the U.S. Transportation Secretary on May 5 to resolve staffing shortages and outdated technology.
The walkout was sparked by chronic understaffing and failing equipment, culminating in a critical incident last week when controllers at a nearby air traffic facility temporarily lost radar and communication with aircraft.
Murphy agreed.
The problems stem from decades of neglect under President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden. That’s 12 years under Democrat stewardship and 4 years under Republicans.
Decades of underinvestment in the maintenance of critical air traffic control infrastructure, delays in upgrading to modern 21st century air traffic control technology, and inadequate air traffic control staffing have resulted in a frail system nationwide.
The FAA has stated that American airspace is short 3,000 air traffic controllers and I appreciate your efforts to retain and hire additional controllers. As the FAA works to address the yearslong shortfalls, I urge you to prioritize the region, the busiest airspace in the nation, by immediately addressing Philadelphia TRACON Area C staffing levels and developing a plan to address chronic staffing shortages at New York TRACON.
-Governor Phil Murphy
Many controllers, shaken by the near-disaster, took leave, citing unsafe working conditions. The union representing them emphasized that the action was protected under federal law, driven by fears of potential accidents due to overwork and unreliable systems. They are unanimous in their claims that these problems have persisted for years, under the administration of President Joe Biden and are not related to any decisions or changes made by the Trump administration.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy laid the blame squarely on his predecessor, Pete Buttigieg.
“This should have been taken care of years ago,” Duffy said.
Controllers have long warned that the nation’s air traffic system, particularly in the busy New Jersey-New York region, has been neglected, with too few staff and obsolete technology unable to handle the volume of flights.
The situation has been worsened by ongoing construction at Newark, which has reduced runway capacity, and repeated equipment failures that left controllers unable to manage air traffic safely. One experienced controller described the situation as “a disaster waiting to happen,” urging travelers to avoid the airport.
In his letter, Governor Murphy highlighted the need for immediate action to bolster staffing and upgrade infrastructure, especially with millions of passengers expected next year for major events. The crisis has exposed deep-rooted issues, with the airport struggling to serve its role as a key transportation hub.