Newark flight delays show FAA prioritizing safety: Mayor Ras Baraka
(NewsNation) — The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary ground stoppage for all flights at Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka told 'Morning in America' on Thursday he believes travelers are safe because airport officials have been quick to ground or delay flights when necessary.
'We should be glad that they're canceling and delaying flights,' he said, while insisting the federal government needs to treat the staffing shortage like the emergency it is.
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He said that while delays are frustrating, they reflect a commitment to safety.
'As long as the FAA continues to ground planes, stop planes from flying as frequently as they have been, as long as they reduce that, the airspace, the number of planes in the airspace, I do think it's safe, which is why they're inconveniencing people,' Baraka said. 'If they weren't inconveniencing people, it wouldn't be safe.'
Baraka said Newark's new runway is expected to be fully open within weeks, which could help ease flight disruptions.
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U.S. Department of Transportation officials said Monday that the runway was being used for departures but won't be available for arrivals until testing is completed early next week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that if all goes well, the runway should be certified by June 10.
Newark has been plagued by cancellations and delays this spring after the FAA had technical problems that twice briefly knocked out the radar and communications at a facility in Philadelphia that directs planes in and out of the airport.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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