Newark Airport passengers face lengthy delays due to staffing shortages

The program is in effect for traffic arriving at Newark Airport, according to FAA officials.

The delays come amid nationwide air traffic controller shortages and Newark-specific mishaps in recent months.

In May, the FAA issued a ground delay for EWR due to staffing shortages, weather and construction issues after a report found air traffic controllers briefly lost radar and radio signals.

Air traffic controllers from other airspaces cannot be brought in to relieve the shortage because they need to be trained in Newark's airspace.

While there are more than half a dozen new controllers in training at EWR, training and certification can take six months to a year.

Less than a month ago, the airport reopened one of its runways ahead of schedule, decreasing disruptions.

Runway 4L-22R, which was fully closed for about a month, reopened in May-with limited closures continuing on weeknights through December, and on weekends, September through December.

Two remaining runways, 4R-22L and 11-29, remain available for use throughout the closure periods, pending weather disruptions.

Fox News Digital's Marc Tamasco contributed to this report.