United Airlines is reducing its daily flights at Newark Liberty International hub, primarily to address ongoing operational disruptions.
A combination of challenges at Newark, including adverse weather, congestion, and a shortage of air traffic controllers, has influenced this decision.
United is actively collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to minimize delays and cancellations.
CHICAGO — Facing operational challenges at its Newark Liberty International hub, United Airlines has decided to cut back its daily flights. This move, aimed at addressing ongoing disruptions, indicates that the reduction in departures might extend into next summer.
Data from FlightAware.com reveals that during the final week of June, the northeastern US experienced a series of storms causing delays in 54% of United’s flights and cancelling nearly 20%. For over a year, the airline has been pressing federal regulators to tweak departures and arrivals to counter such delays.
In a recent conference call regarding quarterly financial results, company executives divulged that United's daily flights will be reduced to 390 in August from around 410 this summer. Historically, Newark has seen the airline operating 435 flights a day.
The airline, accounting for 57% of Newark's passenger traffic, is Newark's principal hub for both international and domestic departures. Disruptions there can cascade across the entire United network. This summer, a combination of factors, including storms, congestion, and a lack of air traffic controllers, has compounded the challenges faced at Newark.
United's CEO, Scott Kirby, emphasized the company's proactive approach, saying, "We're ramping up our efforts to address weather impacts, congestion, and other infrastructure issues at Newark. We aim to craft a more feasible schedule given the frequent weather disruptions and existing operational constraints at the hub."
To alleviate these challenges, United is joining forces with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. A range of strategies is being explored to minimize delays and cancellations, with some already in effect. On the operational front, the airline is broadening its reach with six additional gates, advanced crew scheduling, and tech enhancements.
Lastly, a recent update from the airline noted that the reduction in flights has affected its second-half capacity plans, increasing its non-fuel costs per seat mile. To manage the shortage of air traffic controllers, United and other airlines previously agreed on a 10% flight reduction at airports in New York City and Washington earlier this year.
