Exciting news: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is getting back on track, as the construction of the airport’s busiest runway has finished, 13 days ahead of schedule.
“The airport’s runway construction project is now complete,” stated Jon Gooda, United’s vice president of airport operations, in a letter to customers. “With all runways now available at Newark, we anticipate improved on-time performance for our airline.”
This development, along with a revised flight schedule and upgrades to air traffic control communication, aims to alleviate the major disruptions that affected travelers last month, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said during a press conference with Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, which has a significant presence at Newark.
Kirby mentioned that there’s a good reason for customers to consider returning to the airport: “The fares are better than they have ever been,” he remarked.
According to our partners at Points Path, some cash prices for Newark flights have decreased by as much as 12% compared to last summer. This opens up an interesting decision: would a great flight deal encourage you to return to the airport?
A Turbulent Month
Travelers experienced thousands of cancellations and delays in late April and May, triggered by a combination of factors at EWR: FAA technology outages, a shortage of air traffic controllers, and ongoing runway renovations.
These travel issues led to significant inconvenience for passengers, with long delays becoming the norm. Airlines responded by offering flexibility for travelers to change their tickets. While both United and experts cited no safety concerns, many travelers chose to avoid Newark and fly from alternative nearby airports.
Is Newark Improving?
Though it is premature to guarantee a trouble-free summer at the New Jersey airport—especially with potential summer thunderstorms—but there are signs that the severe issues of May may be behind us for now.
Recently, the FAA announced it would cut back the number of hourly flights permitted at Newark, aiming for a more manageable schedule, much to the satisfaction of United Airlines, the airport’s largest operator.
On Monday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey marked the completion of the runway project that was originally scheduled through June 15. Additionally, the DOT anticipates upgrades to communication systems at the FAA facility governing Newark’s airspace will be implemented shortly.
“Everyone involved is fully committed to resolving these challenges,” Duffy stated at a recent conference.
Progress Noticed
Flight statistics are improving. As of Sunday, approximately 20% of inbound flights to Newark were delayed, significantly better than the 40-50% delays seen in May. On Monday, only 18% of flights were late, outperforming many other U.S. airports.
Duffy and Kirby highlighted that the reduced flight schedules will remain in place at EWR through late October, limiting takeoffs and landings to 68 per hour (34 of each). Historically, the airport has accommodated up to 77 movements per hour during peak times.
United plans to operate around 380 daily departures this summer, a 7% decrease from the originally projected 410. Kirby emphasized that the airline has already adjusted its summer schedule to prevent further cancellations.
“If you book a ticket this summer, you can do so with confidence,” Kirby assured, anticipating Newark will be the “most reliable” airport in the NYC area in the coming months.
Are Cheap Flights Available?
Notably, Kirby made a strong case for attracting flyers back to the airport with low fares due to being “well behind” on Newark bookings.
“This means more available seats,” he noted—an airline’s goal is to sell seats cheaply rather than leave them empty. “Now is the prime time to book your getaway. Whether you’re planning a trip to Europe or a cross-country journey, the time is now.”
Evidence of Newark Discounts
Evidence supports Kirby’s claims, especially concerning one-way flights from Newark.
One-way domestic tickets on United from EWR have fallen by 8.6% compared to last summer, while international flights have seen an even steeper drop of over 12%.
Should You Fly from Newark?
Ultimately, I’d feel comfortable flying from Newark if it offered a significantly cheaper or more convenient flight. In fact, I plan to do just that soon.
However, for those beginning their trips at Newark and connecting elsewhere, I advise prioritizing direct flights if possible. It’s also wise to book with a credit card that offers travel insurance for potential reimbursement if necessary.
Long-Term Challenges Persist
Even as Newark flights return to normalcy, long-term challenges remain. Nearly 28% of fully certified controllers at the FAA’s Philadelphia center have been unavailable since a significant technology outage in April.
Addressing the larger national shortage of controllers is a long-term effort, as I elaborated in a previous article.
Duffy acknowledged, “Fixing this situation won’t happen overnight.” Meanwhile, the Trump administration has proposed substantial funding aimed at revamping the national ATC infrastructure, which has garnered widespread support from the airline industry.
