NEWARK, N.J. (WCBS 880) — United Airlines on Thursday announced it will temporarily cut about 50 of its daily departures from Newark Liberty International Airport next month, citing air traffic congestion.
The summer flight cuts would begin on July 1 and amount to about 12% of the airline's daily 425 flights at the airport, which is one of the Chicago-based carrier's hubs. The changes would apply only to domestic flights, and would not result in the airline exiting markets the company told Reuters.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted United approval to temporarily cut Newark flights on June 17 after the carrier petitioned for a waiver "for the remainder of the summer" to protect its future rights at the airport.
"The FAA has allowed United Airlines to not use some of its slots at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) due to construction at several gates and runway construction," the agency said in a statement.
United added that it has the necessary staffing to support this schedule as well as its plans to "revert to a full schedule from Newark as soon as possible."
