United Airlines has announced the cancellation of 35 daily round-trip flights at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), amounting to nearly 10% of its schedule at the airport. This decision is driven by a combination of factors, including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staffing shortages, system failures, and ongoing runway construction.

✈️ Reasons Behind the Reductions

1. Air Traffic Controller Shortages: The FAA faces a significant shortage of air traffic controllers, particularly at Newark. Reports indicate that more than 20% of controllers assigned to the airport have walked off the job, leading to reliance on temporary replacements and an already stretched team. Training new controllers is a lengthy process, taking 2-3 years, especially for complex airspace like the New York area.