Booker Sends Urgent Letter to Transportation Secretary Duffy, Pushes for “All Necessary Steps” to Address Issues at Newark Airport, Including Directing Additional Staff and[...]

NEWARK, N.J. - This afternoon, Senator Cory Booker sent a letter to United States Department of Transportation Secretary (USDOT) Sean Duffy regarding the ongoing operational challenges at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), including widespread flight delays and cancellations, reportedly outdated air traffic control systems, and chronic staffing shortages.

Booker wrote: "Given the serious consequences for our nation's aviation system, it is critical that the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) take all necessary steps to identify and address the underlying causes of the ongoing flight disruptions. I appreciate that the USDOT has already responded to this ongoing situation by identifying the importance of technology upgrades across the entire air traffic control system, and I am committed to supporting these efforts in Congress.

"However, I ask that you also immediately direct additional staff and resources in order to restore regular operations at EWR in the days ahead. This is of particular importance as the busy summer travel season approaches, which will put further pressure on EWR and the region's airspace. Specifically, I request that you take additional steps to address the staffing shortages at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, which have contributed significantly to the repeated suspension and interruption of flight operations at EWR."

Booker concludes: "These issues, along with the termination of thousands of employees that directly support the FAA's day-to-day operations, are putting an additional strain on the FAA and our aviation system at a time when public safety has come under well-deserved scrutiny after recent accidents. Given the gravity of the problems impacting operations at EWR and the major inconveniences this has caused for people traveling through New Jersey, I am requesting a briefing to discuss the problems you've identified within the USDOT and the steps you are taking to alleviate these burdens."

A full copy of the May 6 letter can be found here and below:

Dear Secretary Duffy:

I write to express our serious concerns over the ongoing flight delays and cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) that have stranded travelers, disrupted Americans' lives, and negatively impacted our national economy over the past week. As you know, EWR is one of the busiest airports in the country and operates within the third busiest airspace-a major shutdown of service at EWR has an immediate ripple effect throughout the nation's entire aviation system.

Given the serious consequences for our nation's aviation system, it is critical that the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) take all necessary steps to identify and address the underlying causes of the ongoing flight disruptions. I appreciate that the USDOT has already responded to this ongoing situation by identifying the importance of technology upgrades across the entire air traffic control system, and I am committed to supporting these efforts in Congress.

However, I ask that you also immediately direct additional staff and resources in order to restore regular operations at EWR in the days ahead. This is of particular importance as the busy summer travel season approaches, which will put further pressure on EWR and the region's airspace. Specifically, I request that you take additional steps to address the staffing shortages at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, which have contributed significantly to the repeated suspension and interruption of flight operations at EWR.

These issues, along with the termination of thousands of employees that directly support the FAA's day-to-day operations, are putting an additional strain on the FAA and our aviation system at a time when public safety has come under well-deserved scrutiny after recent accidents. Given the gravity of the problems impacting operations at EWR and the major inconveniences this has caused for people traveling through New Jersey, I am are requesting a briefing to discuss the problems you've identified within the USDOT and the steps you are taking to alleviate these burdens.

I thank you in advance for your attention to Newark Liberty International Airport's urgent needs to improve air traffic control staffing levels and invest in updated technologies that will keep our passengers and aviation workers safe. I look forward to working with you to make these improvements and ensure safety and reliability for the traveling public.

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