Chaos at Newark Airport: Congress Grills Transportation Secretary Over Safety Concerns
technology
Reduction in flights at Newark Airport may be suggested by the Transportation Secretary
WASHINGTON - In a tense exchange before Congress, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy admitted that the deep staffing cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could compromise the safety of air travelers. Duffy faced bipartisan criticism from lawmakers as Newark Liberty International Airport grapples with crippling infrastructure, technology failures, and a staffing shortage of 1,800 air traffic controllers.
During the House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark, pressed Duffy on the potentially dangerous consequences of the DOT and FAA's budget cuts. "We need to be precise in downsizing a department with a mission as critical as the DOT," Womack asserted. When Duffy responded that "we can do more with less," Womack countered, "Mission critical departments cannot be slashed without considering the potential for catastrophic consequences."
The ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers has caused a significant reduction in flights at Newark, lingering delays, and increased safety risks. Duffy insisted that the cuts had been selective and prioritized the retention of safety-critical positions. "Not one has been allowed to retire by any of the programs that we've offered," he said.
However, union representatives and experts raised concerns that the layoffs and workforce reductions during the Trump-era DOGE undermined essential support functions, potentially increasing the likelihood of operational problems such as the recent communications breakdown at Newark.
The infrastructure at Newark Airport is also a major concern, with aging equipment and worn-out technology further hindering the ability of understaffed air traffic controllers to maintain a safe and efficient operation. Additionally, ongoing runway construction at the airport compounds these challenges.
Duffy claimed that work was underway to address the telecom infrastructure upgrade and correct equipment malfunctions. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the FAA was collaborating with airlines operating at Newark to delay some flight reductions to minimize disruptions for travelers.
In response to a question from Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., about Duffy's comments on a radio show concerning rerouting his wife's flight to avoid Newark, Duffy maintained that safety, not delays, prompted the change. "I fly out of Newark all the time," he admitted.
The staffing shortages and infrastructure failures at Newark Airport demonstrate the gravity of the challenges facing the FAA. Post-COVID retirements, high-stress roles, and a chronic lack of recruitment and retention have exacerbated the situation. Meanwhile, federal regulations requiring infrastructure upgrades by 2028 aim to modernize FAA facilities and technology.
FAA initiatives to boost controller hiring and retention, as well as the $17.8 billion in support earmarked for infrastructure and equipment upgrades, offer hope for the future. However, the critical question remains whether these measures can restore a safe and efficient air travel environment in the near term.
[1] National Air Traffic Controllers Association[2] The Points Guy[3] The Washington Post[4] United States Department of Transportation[5] CNN
Owen Hayes reported from Washington, Corky Siemaszko reported from New York City.
In light of the ongoing issues at Newark Airport, Rep. Steve Womack suggested that the Finance Committee should reconsider budget allocations for the Department of Transportation (DOT), taking into account the critical role the DOT plays in the industry, particularly the aerospace sector. Given the recent technology failures and operational problems at Newark, experts have raised concerns that similar issues could arise in the finance sector, where efficient transportation is crucial for goods and services.
