FAA plans to extend Newark flight cap until late 2026

The flight cap could continue until late October 2026.

The FAA announced a reduction in operations at the airport until the end of 2025, due to chronic flight delays and cancellations, caused in part by air traffic control staff shortages and tech issues.

The FAA wants to buy more time and extend it until October 24, 2026 to ensure the ‘staffing deficiencies’ are fixed.

The FAA’s amended order would allow 36 arrivals and 36 departures per hour at Newark outside of planned construction periods from October 2025 to October 2026.

This is a slight increase from the previous order, limiting 34 departures and 34 arrivals per hour through October this year.

During normal peak periods there were up to 77 departures and arrivals hourly.

The initial disruption was caused mostly by air traffic controller shortages, congestion, tech outages as well as runway construction work.