business

Max Knoblauch5/5/25

United Airlines cuts 10% of its Newark flights, citing air traffic controller understaffing

United Airlines flights account for roughly three-quarters of the air traffic in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport.

Over the weekend, the carrier announced it’s cutting 35 round-trip Newark flights, or about 10% of its daily schedule at the airport. In an online statement, United CEO Scott Kirby cited air traffic controller understaffing and outdated FAA technology as the reason for its decision:

“This particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, it’s now clear — and the FAA tells us — that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead.”

More than a third of Newark’s flights were delayed Sunday as tech failures and a closed runway continued to weigh on America’s 14th busiest airport.

There are 14,000 air traffic controllers working in the US, more than 3,000 employees short of the level needed to reach full staffing. It could take up to eight years to close the gap. In March, 132 FAA employees who were fired in DOGE cuts were reinstated following a court ruling.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to announce a multibillion-dollar FAA modernization proposal this week.

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business

Max Knoblauch3/30/26

JetBlue is raising its bag fees as fuel costs squeeze airlines

JetBlue will reportedly hike its bag fees, as the cost of jet fuel continues to climb amid the war in Iran. It’s the latest example of carriers finding ways to push rising costs onto travelers.

Last week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that if fuel prices remain elevated, fares would need to rise another 20% for his airline to break even this year.

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

Earlier this month, JetBlue hiked its first-quarter outlook for operating revenue per seat mile to between 5% and 7%, saying that strong Q1 demand helped “partially offset additional expenses realized from operational disruptions and rising fuel costs.” Now, the carrier appears to be making moves to further boost revenue to offset those costs.

Earlier on Monday, JetBlue rival Alaska Air lowered its Q1 profit forecast. The refining margins for the carrier’s cheapest fuel option — sourced from Singapore and representing about 20% of Alaska’s overall supply — have spiked 400% since February.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

JetBlue Airways raises bag fees as fuel prices soar

JetBlue Airways raises bag fees as fuel prices soar

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

Earlier this month, JetBlue hiked its first-quarter outlook for operating revenue per seat mile to between 5% and 7%, saying that strong Q1 demand helped “partially offset additional expenses realized from operational disruptions and rising fuel costs.” Now, the carrier appears to be making moves to further boost revenue to offset those costs.

Earlier on Monday, JetBlue rival Alaska Air lowered its Q1 profit forecast. The refining margins for the carrier’s cheapest fuel option — sourced from Singapore and representing about 20% of Alaska’s overall supply — have spiked 400% since February.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Americans won’t tolerate bland food anymore — and it’s turned McCormick into a ~$7 billion-a-year spice and sauce giant

Now, McCormick is eyeing Unilever’s food business.

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Crocs’ prince charming

ByChrisStokel-Walker

FriMar 272026

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