“He said, ‘It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public,’” Costello said of his conversation with the air traffic controller, which he described as, “Really an incredible statement, unsolicited. He just said that to me, and separately: ‘Don’t fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs.’”
Flights to and from the busy airport just outside New York City have been plagued by delays, which the Federal Aviation Administration said are being caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers.