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Representative Mikie Sherrill Demands Immediate Action to Address Air Traffic Control Staffing and Systems Crisis Affecting Newark Liberty International Airport

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Thousands of New Jerseyans have faced a transportation nightmare, with over 5,000 flight delays and dozens of round-trip routes canceled, leaving thousands stranded or forced to miss critical life events. Representative Mikie Sherrill has sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau demanding immediate federal action to resolve the air traffic control staffing and systems crisis affecting Newark Liberty International Airport. The situation is unacceptable, with repeated radar and communications outages at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, responsible for managing Newark's airspace, and severe staffing shortages.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 5,000 flights have been delayed and dozens of round-trip routes canceled in the past two weeks alone, leaving thousands of New Jerseyans stranded or forced to miss critical life events.
  • Rep. Sherrill cited repeated radar and communications outages at the Philadelphia TRACON facility, responsible for managing Newark's airspace, as well as severe staffing shortages, as unacceptable threats to public safety.
  • The Representative has called for immediate federal action to address the crisis, including increasing air traffic controller staffing and technology upgrades.
  • The FAA has ordered a 45-minute ground stop at Newark Airport due to communications and radar displays going down for a third time in less than 14 days.
  • Staffing shortages at the Philadelphia TRACON were so severe that several hours during the evening had only three air traffic controllers on duty, dramatically lower than the target of 14 controllers for managing the Newark airspace.
  • Rep. Sherrill has welcomed the Administration and FAA's comments about increasing air traffic controller staffing and technology upgrades, but is disappointed with the lack of urgency and action.
  • The Representative has demanded answers and action as soon as possible in response to several questions regarding DOT and FAA's strategy to return the Philadelphia TRACON and Newark Airport airspace to full operations and safety.
  • The crisis is not only affecting families unable to reach loved ones in the hospital or attend their child's graduation but also making people worry about the safety of flying in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport.

Statistics:

  • Over 5,000 flights have been delayed in the past two weeks alone.
  • Dozens of round-trip routes have been canceled in the past two weeks.
  • The FAA has ordered a 45-minute ground stop at Newark Airport three times in less than 14 days.
  • Staffing shortages at the Philadelphia TRACON have been severe, with only three air traffic controllers on duty for several hours during the evening.
  • The Representative has called for immediate federal action to address the crisis, including increasing air traffic controller staffing and technology upgrades.

Sources:

  • [United States House of Representatives -- Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau](http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)

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