Legislators Call On Congress To Fund Newark Airport Fixes

By: Justus Wilhoit

A panel of state lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution June 16 urging Congress to appropriate emergency funds to deal with the ongoing air traffic control crisis at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The resolution, ACR169, asks for funding to increase the staffing levels and modernize air traffic control systems at the airport, which has been plagued by flight delays and cancellations because of equipment failure as well as staff shortages since last month.

Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, a Cliffside Park Democrat who sponsored the resolution, said immediate investment and staffing support are needed to stabilize operations and ensure the safe, efficient and modern functioning of Newark Liberty International Airport and the entire national airspace system.

“The convergence of aging infrastructure, repeated towers and severe staffing shortages has created an operational and economic situation that cannot be sustained,” Calabrese told the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities committee in Trenton..

Liberty, which has 50 million travelers pass through each year, has seen the daily average drop by as much as 20 percent – to 58,496 last week from 72,983 during the second week of May 2024, according to Transportation Security Administration data. 

Meanwhile, nearby airports, such as New York’s LaGuardia Airport, recorded a 16% daily passenger increase during the same period. 

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on May 8 announced a plan to upgrade and modernize airports nationwide, installing new fiber, wireless and satellite technologies at more than 4,600 sites. The plan includes 25,000 new radios, 475 voice switches, 618 replacement radar systems and six control towers. Three weeks ago, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a proposal as part of the omnibus One Big Beautiful Bill Act to spend $12.5 billion on air traffic control system improvements over several years.

While federal lawmakers and transportation officials have outlined broad plans to modernize aviation infrastructure, Calbrese sought to underscore the urgency of these upgrades during the hearing.

The chairman asked those in attendance if they knew someone or personally faced delays at EWR in recent weeks, and many raised their hands.

The New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce expressed support for the resolution, according to Michael Egention, but did not testify. 

Various assembly members briefly spoke about the increased availability in flights at both the Atlantic City International Airport and the Trenton-Mercer airport amid the ongoing situation at Newark.

Assemblyman Christian Barranco, Republican of Lake Hopatcong, spoke about airlines’ shifting their operations to others nearby, ​​resulting in a reduction of flights arriving and departing from EWR, and the potential negative impact this may have on New Jersey’s economy.

“United [Airlines] is using JFK – that’s not good for us,” said Barranco, referring to the Queens airport. 

United Airlines, which operates nearly 70 percent of Newark’s flights, said in a statement released on May 2nd that the airline was canceling 35 round-trip flights per day from EWR.

“It’s disappointing to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers,” the statement said.

The Federal Aviation Administration implemented temporary restrictions, limiting flights at Newark to 28 departures and 28 arrivals per hour through June 15. Starting June 15, hourly traffic increased to 34 departures and 34 arrivals through Oct. 25.

When asked what other sources the state would look to if Congress does not appropriate emergency funds to support EWR, Calabrese said it is up to Congress to live up to its responsibility, not dump the problem on the state.

“We’re hopeful that the federal government is going to step up and do their role in providing financials,” he said.