Major U.S. Airport Has Been 'Nightmare' for Travelers This Week
Passengers flying in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey have been met with severe delays since last week.
The problems, which reportedly stem from air traffic control staffing issues, have led to flights being delayed for six straight days through Saturday.
"Air travel nightmare. Total meltdown at Newark Liberty Airport. 8 hours to get baggage. 12 hours on the tarmac. Travelers delayed for days. Aviation experts say be prepared for this to keep happening," reported ABC7's CeFaan Kim last Tuesday.
According to FlightAware, over 270 incoming and outgoing Newark flights were late on Saturday. For some arriving flights, delays went past three hours, according to CNN.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby put out a statement to customers on Friday regarding the delays.
"In the past few days, on more than one occasion, technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed - resulting in dozens of diverted flights, hundreds of delayed and canceled flights and worst of all, thousands of customers with disrupted travel plans," Kirby said. "Unfortunately, the technology issues were compounded as over 20% of the FAA controllers for EWR walked off the job.
"Keep in mind, this particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, it’s now clear – and the FAA tells us – that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead."
Meanwhile, on social media, passengers have voiced concerns over the ongoing situation.
"I’m flying out from Newark Airport to Japan late next week and I’ve been hearing a lot of stories of flight disruptions from Newark, hahahaha good luck to me," one person said.
"My closest airport is Newark and I’m legitimately canceling travel plans because I have so little faith in its current safety," a second person added.
"Good morning to everyone except for Newark Airport and @united," a third person wrote.
To top it all off, an air traffic controller reportedly told NBC News' Tom Costello that travelers should "avoid Newark at all costs."
“It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public,” the employee told Costello.
source https://www.mensjournal.com/news/major-u-s-airport-has-been-nightmare-for-travelers-this-week
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