Carrier cites issues with air traffic control

United announced that it is unilaterally cancelling 35 roundtrip flights daily from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. In a message on the carrier’s website, CEO Scott Kirby said that in recent days technology used by air traffic controllers failed on more than one occasion, resulting in diverted, delayed and canceled flights. It’s now clear, he said, that the airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead. 

It’s disappointing to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, said Kirby, adding that “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.”

These challenges are not new to Newark, said Kirby. United, he said, has been urging the US government for years to use its authority to effectively limit the number of flights to what the airport can realistically handle. Past failure to make those changes, said Kirby, “has led to the circumstances that United and, most importantly, our customers now face.”  

Kirby said he has spoken to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and that the airline is pleased that the new administration has put together a proposal for a large, systemwide investment in FAA technology, infrastructure and staffing. In the medium-to-long term, he said, it’s the only way to solve the systemwide problem. Now, said Kirby, “we’re encouraging them to apply this decisive leadership to the difficult situation they inherited at Newark, too – by designating it as a slot controlled, Level 3 airport.”

An airport is designated Level 3 where airline demand exceeds the capability of the airport and requires a level of coordination to manage demand. Planned flight times are adjusted so demand remains within airline and passenger service level expectations.