Fixing Newark: DOT Chief Cites Progress on Runway and Telecom — but Challenges Remain

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday flyers can expect to soon see improvements at Newark Liberty International Airport. 

“You’re gonna see improvements in this airport, in this airspace,” Duffy said at a press conference in Newark. “You’re gonna see improvements again in the telecom. And then you’ll see improvements with the staffing issues with regard to controllers.”

Newark has been marred by disruptions for the past month due to staffing issues, ongoing runway construction, and outdated technology. To mitigate some of the disruptions out of the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration limited flights out of Newark to 56 an hour. 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Friday that runway construction at Newark was completed 13 days ahead of schedule. That runway is now being used for departures, and acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau said he expects the runway to be certified for arrivals within the next few days.

Once the runway is certified, Newark will be able to accommodate 68 flights per hour, or 34 arrivals and departures each. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, who was also at the press conference, said Newark can typically accommodate 77 flights an hour. 

Duffy said the telecommunications problems are currently getting fixed. Outdated telecommunications technology led to multiple outages where air traffic controllers briefly lost contact with aircraft. 

He said that Verizon fixed the connectivity between Philadelphia, where Newark’s air traffic controllers are based, and New York. Now, the FAA is testing the new fiber optic line between Philadelphia and New York. 

“If you book, you fly, and that’s critical, that’s important,” Duffy said. 

An Ambitious Timeline for Air Traffic Reform

Duffy has also been pushing for a slate of reforms to modernize the national air traffic control system. Some of those reforms include replacing outdated telecommunications equipment, radars, and radios. 

The Transportation Secretary was optimistic that nationwide reforms could be done in three to four years. 

“We hope the completion of all of our airspace will be finished in that three to four year timeframe,” Duffy said. “If I get the permitting reform, I think closer to three, if we don’t, we’re closer to four.”

The House has already proposed $12.5 billion in initial funding for air traffic control fixes in its proposed legislation,  “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Duffy said he expects the Senate to earmark more funds. 

However, it has been estimated that modernizing air traffic control could cost upwards of $30 billion and it is unclear if Congress will apportion that amount of money. 

The FAA has sought to modernize its air traffic infrastructure through its NextGen project, but progress on that project has been hindered by uncertainty with future funding, frequent leadership changes, and technical issues. 

“This is an American project. This is an American bill,” Duffy said. “This is the most important infrastructure project that we’ve had in this country for decades. I think the Congress is gonna engage.”