Operations at Newark Liberty International Airport came to a sudden halt Wednesday afternoon as the Federal Aviation Administration paused all incoming and outgoing flights, citing “staffing issues” tied to the ongoing government shutdown.
According to NBC4, the FAA implemented the ground stop at 3 p.m. local time, announcing that it would remain in place until 4:15 p.m. The move temporarily froze air traffic at one of the busiest airports on the East Coast, causing ripple effects across multiple flight schedules.
Shortly after, the FAA cleared the stoppage but replaced it with a ground delay that will stretch through 11 p.m., the agency confirmed in an advisory. The delay means airlines will have to pace departures and arrivals to manage limited staffing capacity throughout the evening.
Passengers were warned to brace for significant disruptions, with the FAA noting that “flights can expect an average delay of about 40 minutes.” The announcement comes as air travel nationwide continues to face turbulence from the ongoing political gridlock in Washington.
{Matzav.com}
