MSNBC correspondent Tom Costello claimed Friday that an air traffic controller who "handles airspace" at the Newark, NJ, airport gave him some "rather concerning and startling information" about public safety.
"He said, It is not safe. 'It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public," Costello said. "Really an incredible statement, unsolicited. He just said that to me, and separately, 'Don't fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs."
Costello said that there were about two-hour delays for planes coming into Newark on Friday following a week of major delays due to staffing issues.
"We've got a lot of problems going on," Costello said, including "equipment failures."
"They have lost both radios and radars this week," Costellos said. "And because of the stress, some controllers have walked off the job."
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Newark Liberty Airport posted a statement to X advising, "Flights at @EWRairport continue to be disrupted due to @FAA staffing shortages, with delays and cancellations expected to continue throughout the day."
Costello said that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was touring the Newark facility, along with the president of the air traffic controllers union, "trying to reassure the public and reassure controllers that they're working on this."
"But," Costello added, "this is not going to be an easy fix by any means."
Costello said that the nation is short some 3,000 air traffic controllers.
"They need to staff up, they know that. They've been working on it for years," Costello said. "The trouble is, they're barely keeping up with the regular retirement age and rate. And, therefore, Secretary Duffy has announced a whole bunch of incentives, bonuses to try to get people to come apply for the academy, graduate, take a job in the control tower, stay on the job."
