An apparent meltdown at Newark International Liberty Airport is making national headlines, Save Jerseyans, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is striking an unusually conciliatory note in his remarks to Trump Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
“I am deeply appreciative of your actions to ‘supercharge’ the air traffic controller workforce and your visit last week to Philadelphia, and I look forward to helping you however I can,” wrote Murphy in a May 5th letter to Duffy.
A usually reliable Trump Administration critics, Murphy cited long-standing issues with the nation’s air traffic control system at a time when most other Leftists were laying blame for Newark cancellations and alleged safety concerns at the feet of Elon Musk and his DOGE project.
“Decades of underinvestment in the maintenance of critical air traffic control infrastructure, delays in upgrading to modern 21″ century air traffic control technology, and inadequate air traffic control staffing have resulted in a frail system nationwide. To maintain the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rigorous safety standards, air traffic control has had to compromise on efficiency in the system, which has a direct impact on system performance and drives delays at Newark and throughout airports in the United States. Since 2016, Newark’s throughput rate has been reduced to 77 operations per hour from 81 operations per hour, despite billions of dollars in investments in terminal and airfield improvements,” Murphy continued. “Under the previous administration, FAA reduced service from airports in New Jersey and New York through October 25, 2025, citing a shortfall of air traffic controllers. Additionally, control of the Newark-area airspace was reassigned from New York’s Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) to Philadelphia’s facility, a transition that was intended to alleviate short staffing in New York and help flight delays. It is apparent neither effort has led to the desired outcome.”
Newark served 49 million air travelers in 2024 alone, but the airport has reportedly lost 20% of his air traffic control force over the last few weeks.
The full letter is posted below:
Thousands of travelers at @EWRairport have been impacted by delays and cancellations due to a shortage of air traffic controllers and outdated technology. Today, I sent a letter to @SecDuffy requesting support and investment be directed to NJ.
Read my full letter below: pic.twitter.com/vVv2jWjrYi
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 5, 2025
