Air Traffic Controller's Chilling Warning to Passengers Traveling in US: 'Don't Fly to Newark'

An air traffic controller warned people not to use the Newark Airport as it continues to grapple with major delays and cancellations.

Speaking to MSNBC correspondent Tom Costello, the unidentified controller said "it is not a safe situation right now for the flying public" to fly out of Newark. "He just said that to me, and separately: 'Don't fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs.'"

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the situation is a result of a shortage of air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is urging people to pursue the job, saying last week the department is seeking to hire at least 2,000 controllers this year.

In the meantime, however, the snags have led United Airlines to cancel 35 daily roundtrip flights from the airport due to poor technology and staffing issues.

"For many years, United has been very clear and vocal about the need to fix the Air Traffic Control system in EWR. While we enthusiastically support the efforts underway to permanently and structurally fix the FAA, the long-simmering FAA challenges boiled over this week," said on Friday the company's CEO, Scott Kirby, last Friday. He added that more than 20% of all FAA controllers at the airport have left their posts.

"Keep in mind, 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," Kirby said.