United Airlines is praising a proposed FAA decision to keep strict capacity limits in place at Newark Liberty International Airport through October 2026, saying it will help preserve the airport’s newfound reliability. Even with a reduced flight schedule, it also locks in United’s dominance at EWR.

FAA Extends Newark Flight Limits Through October 2026, United Celebrates

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has tentatively extended its order capping Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) operations at 72 flights per hour through both the Winter 2025 and Summer 2026 seasons.

The move continues a policy introduced in late May that reduced operations from more than 80 flights per hour earlier this year to 68 per hour, later adjusted to 72 per hour. The change was designed to combat chronic congestion and improve on-time performance at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

United Airlines—Newark’s largest carrier by far—pushed for these limits, arguing they match the airport’s true capacity given both infrastructure constraints and current FAA staffing levels.

In a memo to employees reviewed by Live And Let’s Fly, United said:

“Our bookings out of EWR have returned to normal compared to a few months ago and we believe the capacity limits reflected in this extension are appropriate and consistent with the physical capacity of the airport and the current FAA staffing. Above all, the extension is good news for our customers — locally and all around the world — as well as for our nearly 15,000 EWR employees.”

The capacity limits lock in the status quo, cementing United dominance at Newark, but also represent a sizeable net reduction in flights. United’s market share in New York City, of which I count Newark, has shrunk because of the reduced operation, allowing Delta Air Lines to build its lead as the largest domestic operators in New York City.

Scott Kirby Praises Decision

United CEO Scott Kirby personally endorsed the extension, calling Newark operations “the best they’ve ever been” and noting that EWR is now “regularly the most on-time airport in the New York City area.”

“That’s a direct result of the actions taken by Secretary Duffy and the FAA to ensure that the schedules out of Newark match the actual capacity of the airport. I want to thank the Secretary and Administrator Bedford for their leadership in extending this order for another year. This is vital to ensure that Newark remains a safe and reliable crown jewel for millions of domestic and international travelers.”

While the capacity limits mean fewer available seats and potentially higher fares, United argues that the trade-off is worth it. Newark’s improved punctuality has already been noticeable to passengers, with fewer delays and cancellations compared to prior years, though summer storms and United’s weight and balance meltdown earlier this week proved that operations are still quite fragile.

CONCLUSION

The FAA’s extension of Newark’s slot caps represents a rare example of a government restriction being warmly welcomed by the largest airline at the airport. United says protecting operational reliability and customer trust, which is true, but it’s also about protecting itself from competition. Time will tell, but for passengers, the news may further burnish Newark’s newly found reputation as the New York City area’s most on-time airport…but with fewer flight options than available before.