The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially established a new policy that will limit the number of arriving and departing flights at Newark Liberty International Airport to a maximum of 72 movements per hour, a change that will remain in effect until October 2026. This final order develops from a preliminary proposal released in August and provides a slight increase from the previous cap of 68 movements per hour.
Previously, the cap of 68 was scheduled to expire in June 2026, necessitating adjustments to accommodate evolving air traffic demands.
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In addition to the new hourly cap, the FAA has implemented a stricter limit of 56 total movements per hour on Saturdays through the end of the year. This reduction is due to ongoing construction work on one of the airport’s three runways, further necessitating organized flight management.
The previous cap of 68 movements per hour was enforced to address significant operational disruptions experienced during a tumultuous spring at Newark, characterized by air traffic control staffing shortfalls, technology failures, and runway construction. These factors resulted in widespread flight delays, cancellations, and mandated ground delays from the FAA aimed at stabilizing the traffic flow.
The continued adjustments reflect the FAA’s commitment to improving air travel efficiency and passenger experience at Newark Airport amid a backdrop of changing operational challenges.
