‘Most Reliable Summer’: How United Rebounded at Newark

Airline says it has recovered from air traffic control issues and runway construction earlier in the year.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

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Jack Daleo

United CEO Scott Kirby speaks in front of one of the airline’s Airbus A321neo aircraft during an event at the company’s hangar near Newark Liberty International Airport. [Credit: Jack Daleo/FLYING]

Key Takeaways:

After a challenging spring, United Airlines achieved its most reliable summer operationally ever at Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR), with a 70.1% on-time rate, surpassing its performance at other major NYC airports.
This improved performance was significantly aided by FAA actions, including infrastructure upgrades like replacing old wiring with fiber optics, which are expected to allow United to further expand its schedule and international services.
United plans substantial future investments at Newark, including hiring over 2,500 personnel by 2026, becoming the first to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the hub, and expanding international routes with a target of 100 international widebody departures daily.

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After a tumultuous spring during which runway construction and air traffic control staffing and equipment problems disrupted hundreds of flights, United Airlines had the “most reliable summer operationally that we have ever had” at Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR), CEO Scott Kirby said Tuesday.

The airline said more than 6 million United passengers flew on time through Newark this summer, with a 70.1 percent on-time rate actually beating its performance at LaGuardia (KLGA) and John F. Kennedy International (KJFK). Speaking during an event in the airline’s hangar near Newark, Toby Ennqvist, United’s executive vice president and global chief operations officer, said its busiest day at the airport was August 16, when it flew about 650,000 customers.