Newark Airport Faces Possible Delays Amid Federal Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown may delay Newark Liberty International Airport travel due to staffing and operations. At Newark Airport on Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said air traffic controllers had phoned in sick more since the shutdown, which might delay passengers.

Republican Trump adviser Duffy blamed House Democrats for the closure. He said air traffic controllers and TSA officers are unpaid. Oct. 14’s first paycheck will be missed if the closure continues.

Newark Airport has faced flight delays and cancellations all year due to air traffic controller shortages and infrastructure difficulties. Regional flights were routinely hindered by the airport’s air traffic control center this year. The USDOT and state expedited runway maintenance and added staff to reduce delays.

At Monday’s press conference, National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels voiced safety and morale concerns during the closure. Federal government functions should resume without partisan criticism, he said. Daniels said the shutdown distracted aviation workers from safety.

Despite political tensions surrounding the Trump administration’s denial of funding for the Gateway Tunnel Project, a $16 billion Hudson River rail tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey, the news conference took The decision was part of the administration’s shutdown struggle with Democrats. Furloughed staff will delay the Department of Transportation’s civil rights office’s probe into New York’s minority-owned project contracting.

The government shutdown has heated up New Jersey’s governor race. Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill caused congressional gridlock, according to Republican Jack Ciattarelli. His campaign said Sherrill opposed a clean financing arrangement that might have prevented the closure, choosing party politics over public service. Sherrill’s campaign claimed Ciattarelli’s Trump ties will raise New Jerseyans’ healthcare expenses and imperil thousands of Gateway Tunnel Project jobs.

As parties trade blame, New Jersey tourists are puzzled. The closure impacting aviation staff and delaying transportation projects may cause more headaches for Newark Liberty International Airport passengers if the Washington political standoff continues.

Sources:
Statements from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, campaign representatives for Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill, and reports on Newark Liberty International Airport operations.