FAA Extends Flight Limits at Newark to 2026
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed it will extend operating limits at Newark Liberty International Airport until October 24, 2026, while slightly easing restrictions on flight volumes.
Under the updated policy, the cap on arrivals and departures will rise from 68 to 72 operations per hour. The FAA said the adjustment followed “constructive comments between the airport operator and airlines” and reflects efforts to balance capacity with ongoing infrastructure and staffing challenges.
Newark has faced persistent congestion issues, compounded by air traffic controller shortages and equipment limitations in the New York metropolitan airspace. FAA officials said the extended cap is necessary to maintain safety and reliability while the agency continues to address those constraints.
The airport is also undergoing major infrastructure work, including refurbishment of runway 4L/22R, which will remain closed on weekends through the end of 2025. The closure has further reduced flexibility in handling peak flight activity.
By modestly increasing the hourly flight limit, regulators hope to give airlines greater scheduling flexibility without overwhelming the system. Newark remains one of the busiest hubs in the U.S., with demand often outpacing infrastructure capacity.
The FAA emphasized that it will continue to monitor traffic levels closely and could revise the limits again if operational conditions change. For now, the extension provides airlines and passengers with clarity through 2026, while major staffing and runway improvements move forward at the airport.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com