Delays continue Friday at Newark Liberty due to construction, staffing issues

According to the FAA, more than 400 flights were delayed Thursday afternoon and more than 200 were canceled.

Sarah Goode and Chris Keating

May 1, 2025, 4:00 PM

Updated 2 hr ago

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Newark Liberty International Airport saw hundreds of flight delays and cancellations on Friday due to construction and staffing issues.
The FAA says that a shortage of air traffic controllers is one reason for the slowdown. The other issue is that crews are resurfacing one of three runways at the airport.
"The FAA is slowing arrivals and departures at Newark Liberty International Airport due to runway construction at Newark and staffing issues at Philadelphia TRACON, which guides aircraft in and out of the airport," an FAA spokesperson said Friday.
A steady flow of travelers had been checking departure and arrival boards inside Terminal B to see the status of their flights and hoping they weren’t canceled.
Others who saw their flights canceled have been able to rebook without being charged any extra fees.
The delays follow a ground stop on Monday caused by what the FAA says was an equipment issue. It left many travelers circling overhead for hours or some stranded in other cities.