(Newark, NJ) — There are more than 80 flight cancellations and even more delays at Newark Airport again today. One of the nation’s busiest airports continue to be crippled by uncertainty over its flight schedules, caused by air traffic controller staffing shortages and equipment problems.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blames the Biden Administration for not fixing the problem while they were in office. The union that represents air traffic controllers says some of them have been out on trauma leave after experiencing a blackout in radar and communications last week.
Secretary Duffy now says he’s planning to build a brand-new air traffic control system which will include the introduction of new telecommunication technology, radar, infrastructure and controllers. He says the full overhaul plan will be announced Thursday. Duffy says he will try to persuade air traffic workers on the verge of retirement to stay on, and reward those who do with a bonus.
