Although the initial technical issues have been resolved, ongoing staffing problems at the Philadelphia TRACON continue to affect operations at Newark, leading to lingering delays.

On April 28, 2025, Newark Liberty Airport faced significant disruptions as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) slowed traffic due to equipment malfunctions and staffing shortages, resulting in United Airlines diverting at least 35 flights to other airports.

The government is actively seeking solutions to address these staffing issues, including expediting the hiring process for new air traffic controllers to prevent future disruptions.

Reports indicate that departing flights are being held, while airborne flights are either circling in holding patterns or being diverted, further complicating travel plans.

This incident highlights a series of challenges faced by airports nationwide, raising concerns about the reliability of air traffic control systems amid staffing shortages.

In light of the disruptions, United Airlines has issued a travel waiver to offer customers flexibility in managing their travel plans.

Passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as ongoing delays and diversions are expected.

This outage coincides with a busy travel period, adding strain to airport operations already affected by ongoing runway rehabilitation work at Newark.

While there have been no widespread cancellations reported, travelers should anticipate delays lasting several hours, with the average delay for flights estimated at around two hours.

Airport authorities have not provided a specific timeline for the repair of the FAA equipment that caused the disruptions, leaving uncertainty for travelers.

As the situation develops, further updates are anticipated, and authorities are closely monitoring the ongoing challenges at Newark Liberty Airport.

The equipment failure began in the early morning hours and had a ripple effect, impacting both arrivals and departures throughout the day.