How Flight Cuts at Newark Airport Are Driving Up Nearby Airports' Prices

Despite Newark Liberty International Airport reducing the number of flights coming in and out, airlines operating at nearby airports do not yet appear to be drastically raising their prices as travelers seek alternative hubs to fly out of – although there are signs of some changes.

Examining flights from three major airlines flying out of Newark Airport , LaGuardia Airport , Philadelphia International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, most domestic flights appeared to cost less on May 21 than they did on April 23.

This is positive news for travelers looking at alternative airports due to Newark cutting down the number of incoming and outgoing flights.

Facing technology and communications disruptions, along with a lack of air traffic controllers and ongoing runway construction On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced they would limit the total number of departures and arrivals to 56.

This occurred following warnings from air traffic controllers and officials about safety issues caused by obsolete technology. causing widespread outages that briefly shut down air tower communications and radars with pilots.

Such outages have happened four times in the past month, causing trauma for staff members, panic among officials, and concern for travelers.

However, those wishing to travel from Newark can still depart—or choose from additional flight options available at neighbouring airports.

Based on the Google Travel price tracker, the cost of a flight from LaGuardia Airport The cost to fly from Miami International Airport between June 20 and June 23 is typically $39 cheaper, on average, compared to the period before the initial disruption at Newark was made public.

The same flight from Philadelphia Airport to Miami costs, on average, $11 less, though major airlines’ prices have individually increased. At JFK Airport, prices have increased, on average, $31.

While each airline operates differently and prices depend on the day, the findings indicate that local flight prices are not drastically impacted by the issues at Newark Airport .

“In terms of pricing, I haven’t really noticed so much of a trend,” John Skorin, a travel agent with Carlisle Travel , told The Independent .

“But in terms of airports, there has been a certain tendency to try and avoid Newark if at all possible unless it’s a nonstop to Newark,” Skorin said.

Newark Airport It ranks among the most active airports in the nation, but it has recently faced significant issues resulting in extensive flight delays and cancellations.

The president of Carlisle Travel, Jerry Saxe, stated The Independent a buddy of his had been stranded in Chicago for two days as her flight to Newark got canceled and there were no seats available on a flight to LaGuardia.

“What’s occurring in Newark is impacting the entire region,” Saxe stated.

Similar to numerous other aviation control towers, Newark Airport has faced staff shortages for several years. However, these personnel deficits worsened on April 28 when communication radios were down for half a minute and radar systems ceased operation for one-and-a-half minutes.

The incident caused chaos among air traffic controllers who were worried about the safety of individuals airborne. Approximately five employees required a 45-day leave to cope with the aftermath.

Authorities have pointed to an overloaded system as the cause of the technological and communication problems.

Last year, Newark moved its air traffic control facility hub from Long Island to Philadelphia Some have claimed that it was poorly equipped to manage the volume of traffic. Believed to be outdated, this system has experienced at least four outages within the past month due to these issues.

The FAA along with the Department of Transportation mentioned they are collaborating on a plan to upgrade their systems.

Christopher Rocheleau, the FAA Administrator, said on Tuesday that they hope the temporary reduction in arrivals and departures at Newark Airport “relieve the substantial inconvenience to the traveling public from excessive flight delays due to construction, staffing challenges, and recent equipment issues, which magnify as they spread through the National Airspace System.”

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