Duffy Blames Biden, Buttigieg for ‘Bungled’ Newark Tech

Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the FAA would be reducing flights in Newark.

Caleb Revill

Monday, May 12, 2025 at 04:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

United Express CRJ aircraft in Newark [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) will experience temporary flight reductions due to a combination of runway construction, staffing shortages, and critical radar technology issues, including recent outages at Philadelphia TRACON.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blames the previous administration for "bungling" the 2024 transfer of Newark's airspace control to Philadelphia TRACON, citing their failure to harden critical telecom lines.
Duffy has requested an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General into the air traffic control move and stated Newark will be prioritized for infrastructure upgrades under a proposed new system.
The FAA has formed a task force and scheduled a delay reduction meeting to address the issues, while reassuring the public that travel into Newark is safe despite the disruptions.

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Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the FAA would be temporarily reducing flights at Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) during a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Hours before the conference, the FAA published a statement saying it would slow arrivals and departures at the airport due to runway construction, staffing, and technology issues at the Philadelphia TRACON radar—which briefly went offline Friday for the second time this month.