Newark Liberty International Airport has been experiencing significant delays and cancellations due to staffing shortages, equipment malfunctions, and ongoing runway construction, with delays reaching up to six hours for arriving flights. The FAA has attributed these issues to a staffing shortage at the Philadelphia air traffic control center and recent system outages that caused controllers to temporarily lose radar and communications with aircraft. Additionally, approximately 20% of controllers called in sick due to trauma related to these outages, exacerbating the situation as one runway remains closed for rehabilitation.
