Here are 5 things SC travelers should know about the ongoing flight delays
An unfortunate combination of weather disruptions, air traffic controller staff shortages and out-of-date technology has caused an undeniable headache for travelers this week at the Newark Liberty International Airport and now nationwide.
Hundreds of flights have been delayed or canceled, causing a domino effect for travelers coming to and from the Palmetto State.
What happened?
On April 28, a technical issue occurred at the Newark Liberty International Airport, where air traffic controllers lost contact with aircraft due to a system failure.
Following the system failure, air traffic controllers who were responsible for controlling the technical failure took leave to recover from “traumatic stress,” resulting in a massive staffing shortage.
While this incident itself did not directly affect South Carolina airports, it has caused a ripple effect on flight operations nationwide.
Why did this happen?
The root cause of these delays and issues stems from the outdated technology system, with some equipment dating to the ‘50s.
Some systems still use copper wires and floppy disks, which the Federal Aviation Administration and Government Accountability Office have admitted to still being in use.
Another problem is the shortage of air traffic controllers, which is an issue that has affected airports across the country for years.
In addition to unreliable technology and staffing concerns, the Newark airport has been under reconstruction, which has caused issues and a three-month closure on one of its major runways, worsening delays.
5 things South Carolina travelers need to know
- Weather-related disruptions
Airports across the Southeast are experiencing increased weather-related delays, with rain and storms heading to the region.
In the Lowcountry region, rain and storms are anticipated to start as early as Wednesday afternoon and continue into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
- Newark disruptions may affect connecting flights nationwide
Even if you’re not flying out of Newark, flight delays or cancellations there can, and have, rippled across the country.
If you have a flight connecting through Newark or flying with United Airlines, which has a major hub there, delays are expected. As of Wednesday morning, delays have expanded to larger travel areas including Dallas, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles, according to the Newark Airport Flight Tracker.
- Anticipate ongoing staffing shortages
The national shortage of air traffic controllers is an ongoing issue for airports across the nation.
The FAA is currently short-staffed, with about 3,000 unfilled controller roles. Adding to the frustration, it takes up to two years to train new ones.
With this staffing shortage in conjunction with outdated technology, this means chronic delays could persist through summer and beyond, potentially impacting airports in South Carolina.
- The FAA has imposed ground delay programs
To manage risk, the FAA has slowed down arrivals and departures into Newark with ground delay programs on Tuesday morning.
This has led to 4+ hour delays in some cases. For travelers departing from a South Carolina airport with a connection through Newark, your flight may be held at the gate or canceled before even taking off.
- What you can do
If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, the U.S. Department of Transportation allows you to request a full refund, but only if you decline any rebooking offer.
Note that if you are offered and accept a later flight (even 36 hours later), that may waive your right to a refund. Always check for alerts and alternative routes before heading to the airport.
If you can switch flights to a different airport, like nearby LaGuardia in New York City, or book a direct flight to your destination, that is another solution to avoid Newark delays.
What do I need to know about SC airports?
South Carolina is home to six different airports for passenger travel:
While only short delays have been reported, make sure to check the status of your flight often and be prepared for any disruptions.
Click on the link for each airport above to be directed to their flight tracker page.
What’s next?
While there’s no good estimate of when these problems will be resolved, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York called for an investigation into the cause.
On Tuesday evening, FlightAware reported that around 340 flights were delayed on their way into and out of Newark and 114 flights were canceled.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 9:57 AM.
