Pilot Warns of Looming Airport ‘Disaster’ Ahead of Memorial Day Travel Surge

Newark Airport Chaos: Pilot Warns of Memorial Day Delays

A cargo pilot flying out of Newark Liberty International Airport described his recent takeoff experience as a “disaster,” urging Memorial Day travelers to brace for major disruptions. Peter, a first officer for a major airline, shared a viral TikTok video revealing runway gridlock due to construction and ongoing radar outages plaguing the airport.

Runway Backups Hit Record Highs
Peter’s Boeing 767 cargo plane waited 57 minutes to take off, stuck as the 27th in line for a single operational runway. “Holy cow, was that a disaster!” he said, attributing delays to two closed runways under construction. A live map he shared showed dozens of planes queued up.

Memorial Day Travel Woes Loom
With over 75,000 passengers screened at Newark on May 22 and 182 delays reported by Friday afternoon, Peter warned holiday travelers to expect chaos. The AAA predicts 45.1 million people will travel this weekend, but Newark’s issues—including staffing shortages and radar failures—could spell cancellations.

Radar Blackouts Add to Chaos
Since April, three power outages at Philadelphia’s radar center (managing Newark’s traffic due to local staffing gaps) caused ground stops. The May 11 blackout, blamed on telecom failures, led United Airlines to claim 20% of Newark’s controllers took “trauma leave.”

FAA Scrambles for Solutions
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced upgrades to the outdated air traffic system, admitting the U.S. is “racing against time” to avoid tragedy. Officials plan to reroute flights away from Newark temporarily, potentially disrupting millions.

Despite the turmoil, Peter praised controllers for their skill under pressure, calling operations “safe.” However, with FAA meetings underway to slash Newark flights voluntarily, passengers are advised to stay updated and pack patience for one of the busiest travel weekends yet.

Summary: Runway construction and radar failures have turned Newark into a travel hotspot for delays. With Memorial Day crowds arriving, the FAA’s emergency measures may offer little relief—plan accordingly.