Latest news with #runwayreopening
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Rare win for Newark airport as runway reopens ahead of schedule - potentially alleviating severe delays
Newark Liberty International Airport has reopened one of its runways ahead of schedule after the transportation hub has suffered recent technical issues. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the development at an airport news conference alongside United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, who said flights out of Newark are expected to be the cheapest in the airline's history this summer. The airport has faced recent air traffic control outages, a shortage of air traffic control workers and a struggle to keep up with demand during the revamp of Runway 4L-22R, an 11,000-foot-long strip. 'This key milestone puts us on a path to further reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and ensuring a seamless travel experience,' Duffy said. 'With the runway completed, we'll continue our work to harden the telecoms infrastructure and improving the staffing pipeline for the airspace.' On Friday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, said the runway would reopen 13 days ahead of schedule after it was cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration. Some of the work included improving milling, repaving the runway surface and improving lighting and drainage work. Runways are typically updated every 10 years and Runway 4L-22R had last been updated in 2014. The improvements reportedly cost $121m. Still, Duffy noted issues remain at Newark and officials are working to return the airport to maximum capacity. Last month, the airport shut down and was later closed nights and weekends for construction work. Officials plan to reinstate the weekend and night closures at the end of the year to complete additional work. When that does happen, two other runways will remain fully operational, officials noted. The ongoing issues have resulted in passengers experiencing delays and cancellations. Airport air traffic controllers have also faced communication blackouts while directing planes. The blackouts reportedly stemmed from equipment failures, which caused the FAA to reduce the number of flights coming in and out of the airport. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Duffy said: 'The message I have for all of you is, no one here has created this problem... The problem has landed on our laps, but I want you to know that you have every asset that touches the problem, working together, coordinating, cooperating, collaborating, to make sure that as a team, we address the problem that exists at Newark.' He added: 'You can't snap your fingers and make it happen really quickly, because these things take longer than a week or two or even a month.'
Fox News
2 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Republicans could have problems motivating Trump voters ahead of midterms, McEnany warns
All times eastern Making Money with Charles Payne FOX News Radio Live Channel Coverage WATCH LIVE: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy holds a press conference on the Newark Airport runway reopening
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Newark Airport runway under construction reopens early to ease flight delays
A runway at Newark Liberty International Airport that was shut down for repairs has reopened nearly two weeks ahead of schedule to help ease flight disruptions. Along with air traffic control staffing and equipment outages, the runway rehabilitation project contributed to delays and cancellations that plagued passengers for weeks in the New York metropolitan area. Newark Airport runway reopens ahead of schedule The runway at Newark reopened Monday, 13 days before the rehabilitation project was originally slated to end on June 15. The number of flights at the airport was scaled back while it underwent repaving, lighting upgrades and the installation of new drainage infrastructure to meet Federal Aviation Administration safety standards. It's expected the FAA will raise the number of arrivals and departures allowed by 34 per hour with the runway back in service. Duffy to give update on Newark Airport Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is scheduled to speak Monday afternoon about the significance of the runway's reopening and give an update on the air traffic control situation at Newark. He will be joined by officials from the FAA, United Airlines and the Port Authority of New York and Jersey at a 1 p.m. news conference. Duffy said recently he expected the FAA to activate a new fiber line to improve air traffic control communication by the beginning of July.
CNN
4 days ago
- Business
- CNN
Newark airport's closed runway, which contributed to weeks of delays, will reopen ahead of schedule
A key runway at Newark Liberty International Airport, which has been under construction for months causing significant delays and cancellations, will reopen on Monday. The 11,000-foot-long runway 4L-22R is reopening 13 days ahead of schedule and will allow 'regular runway operations to resume,' according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which operates the airport. The $121 million project began in early March and was scheduled to be completed June 15. The runway was last rehabilitated in 2014 and showed 'significant signs of wear.' Construction was accelerated after staffing and operational challenges 'impacted air traffic controllers' ability to effectively use the remaining two operational runways' at the airport, according to the port authority. 'As we approach the busy summer travel season, this key milestone puts us on a path to further reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and ensuring a seamless travel experience,' Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a news release. 'With the runway completed, we'll continue our work to harden the telecoms infrastructure and improving the staffing pipeline for the airspace.' The runway was one of the reasons passengers flying in and out of Newark airport experienced major disruptions in April and May, but it was not the only reason. Controllers attempting to guide pilots to and from the airport experienced at least four black outs since April 28 due to the aging Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control system. On May 20, the FAA ordered airlines to cut flights at Newark by about 25%, to 56 an hour, until construction was completed, at which point they plan to increase flights to 68 an hour. The construction project involves paving the runway surface, updating lighting, improving airfield signs, installing underground electrical infrastructure, and improving drainage. The runway will still close for construction on weeknights through the end of the year and weekends, September to December, to complete the project entirely.
CNN
4 days ago
- Business
- CNN
Newark airport's closed runway, which contributed to weeks of delays, will reopen ahead of schedule
A key runway at Newark Liberty International Airport, which has been under construction for months causing significant delays and cancellations, will reopen on Monday. The 11,000-foot-long runway 4L-22R is reopening 13 days ahead of schedule and will allow 'regular runway operations to resume,' according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which operates the airport. The $121 million project began in early March and was scheduled to be completed June 15. The runway was last rehabilitated in 2014 and showed 'significant signs of wear.' Construction was accelerated after staffing and operational challenges 'impacted air traffic controllers' ability to effectively use the remaining two operational runways' at the airport, according to the port authority. 'As we approach the busy summer travel season, this key milestone puts us on a path to further reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and ensuring a seamless travel experience,' Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a news release. 'With the runway completed, we'll continue our work to harden the telecoms infrastructure and improving the staffing pipeline for the airspace.' The runway was one of the reasons passengers flying in and out of Newark airport experienced major disruptions in April and May, but it was not the only reason. Controllers attempting to guide pilots to and from the airport experienced at least four black outs since April 28 due to the aging Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control system. On May 20, the FAA ordered airlines to cut flights at Newark by about 25%, to 56 an hour, until construction was completed, at which point they plan to increase flights to 68 an hour. The construction project involves paving the runway surface, updating lighting, improving airfield signs, installing underground electrical infrastructure, and improving drainage. The runway will still close for construction on weeknights through the end of the year and weekends, September to December, to complete the project entirely.
