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The basics:

• Rehabilitated Newark airport runway reopens nearly two weeks early
• Airstrip currently open for departures only; FAA checks ongoing
• DOT, FAA, United and Port Authority praise teamwork, progress

Officials marked the June 2 reopening of a key runway at Newark Liberty International Airport – nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.

As NJBIZ reported, the accelerated project to rehabilitate Runway 4L-22R allowed for the early reopening. The closure was a key contributor, along with equipment issues/blackouts and air traffic control staffing issues, to the recent travel nightmares at EWR.

Key things to know:

• Runway will open departures only, as Federal Aviation Administration flight crews ensure testing, calibration and safety of navigational aids for use with arrivals
• EWR will continue to operate with a maximum arrival rate of 28 aircraft an hour until those checks are complete
• After that, the airport will increase the maximum arrival rate to 34 aircraft an hour

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited EWR to mark the early reopening. Duffy also highlighted ongoing telecom and staffing work taking place to get things back on track. United Airlines Inc. CEO Scott Kirby; FAA acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau; U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-7th District; and Port Authority Aviation Director Sarah McKeon joined the secretary.

Duffy, a New Jersey native, noted how EWR is “his airport.”

“I fly out of Newark, and I think a lot of people were frustrated by the fact that they were booking flights and because of the issues we’re having their flights were delayed and maybe even cancelled,” said Duffy. “All of the airlines came together with the FAA’s leadership and United, being the biggest provider, biggest airline here at Newark.”

Partnerships take flight

Kirby thanked Duffy, Rocheleau and the Trump administration for their efforts.

“The level of engagement that you see here today is unprecedented in my career,” said Kirby. “The level of support and partnership that we have had is a testament to trying to be partners and try to make the airspace and airport not only safe – but work for customers around the country.”

The level of engagement that you see here today is unprecedented in my career.
– Scott Kirby, CEO, United Airlines

Rocheleau echoed those sentiments. He noted his appreciation for the collaboration that went into this, particularly with the Port Authority ramping up the runway project, as well as with the FAA technical operations and controllers.

“We are actually using the new runway today for departures, and that’s a big deal – way ahead of schedule, and certainly contributing to a safe and efficient operation,” said Rocheleau.

Round-the-clock schedule

McKeon reflected on the around-the-clock work needed to make this day a reality.

“Literally seven days a week of people, multiple crews paving, milling, electricians, Port Authority aviation operations, maintenance, and engineering staff to make this happen,” said McKeon. “Thank you to all of you for all of your dedication and hard work over the last several weeks.

“We look forward to continuing to support the FAA and the Department of Transportation in their efforts to address the staffing and technology challenges that remain to restore Newark to its full operational capacity and potential.”

“As the secretary talks about, there is a lot of work to be done, but we are in there every day,” said Rocheleau. “They care about the safety of the system – that is job No. 1 for us.”

Duffy added, “We’re at an agreement that if you want to come to this airport – if you book, you fly, and that is critical, that’s important. You have every asset that touches the problem working together – to make sure that as a team we address the problems that exist at Newark.”

Kirby stressed, “This is a seminal moment in aviation infrastructure history.”