09:51 AM EDT, 05/05/2025 (MT Newswires) -- United Airlines (UAL) is cancelling 35 roundtrip flights a day from Newark airport due to Federal Aviation Administration staffing and technology issues, Chief Executive Scott Kirby said Friday.

He said technology issues forced the airline to divert, delay or cancel flights in the last few days. These were compounded when over 20% of the FAA controllers for Newark, which has been "chronically understaffed," walked off the job, Kirby said.

Kirby said he spoke with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday and learned that the agency has drafted a proposal for "a large, systemwide investment in FAA technology, infrastructure and staffing."

Kirby urged that Newark be designated as a slot controlled, Level 3 airport to address these issues.

The FAA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment by MT Newswires.

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