United Airlines has canceled 35 daily round-trip flights at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) due to ongoing issues with air traffic control staffing shortages and equipment failures

. These cancellations represent about 10% of United's operations at Newark, which handles around 328 flights daily

. The cancellations mainly affect flights to and from smaller cities, as United prioritizes more lucrative, densely packed routes to maintain service amid the disruptions

. The 13 routes most frequently canceled include flights between Newark and:

• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• St. Louis
• Montreal
• San Francisco
• Portland, Maine
• Milwaukee
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Memphis
• Columbus, Ohio
• Indianapolis
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Pittsburgh
• Quebec City, Canada

The root causes are a combination of a malfunctioning FAA air traffic control system, a shortage of controllers (over 20% have left or are on trauma leave), and ongoing runway construction at Newark

. United's CEO Scott Kirby has stated that Newark airport cannot handle the current volume of flights under these conditions, forcing the airline to reduce its schedule to protect customers from further disruptions

. Travelers on affected routes should check United's flight status tools for the latest updates and consider alternative options if flying to or from Newark