WASHINGTON D.C. – Yesterday, at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation entitled, “FAA Reauthorization One Year Later: Aviation Safety, Air Traffic, and Next Generation Technology,” Senator Kim secured commitments from FAA officials to upgrade outdated technology at the TRACON facility based at PHL, which manages aircraft approaching and departing airports across the region — including EWR — and to make necessary improvements at EWR itself. He also pressed for proper staffing levels to keep America’s skies and passengers safe. These commitments build on the work Senator Kim carried out this past weekend during visits to PHL TRACON and EWR, where he worked to find solutions to the ongoing blackouts, delays, staff shortages, and safety concerns that travelers in New Jersey have been experiencing.

During his questioning of witnesses, which can be watched here, Senator Kim pointed out the gaps between what he heard last weekend and the FAA’s public statements about timelines for repairs and upgrades at EWR that are needed to prevent future blackouts and calm the chaos.

Franklin McIntosh, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Air Traffic Organization, FAA, stated that while he agreed with Senator Kim’s assessment that new technology was needed, he disagreed with the notion that it would take 6-12 months to fully implement. McIntosh testified that the Trump Administration had already begun convening meetings and officials would be on the ground starting next week to address this issue. He reiterated that they are confident that EWR will be running normally by the summer and committed to staying in touch with Senator Kim as this progresses.

When asked about the current staffing levels that has left Newark Airport reportedly short staffed in recent days, Mr. McIntosh contradicted those claims of lack of staffing bystating they currently have multiple trainees completing their courses, with full enrollment for training classes through Summer of 2026. Still, he couldn’t answer why Senator Kim was told previously by air traffic controllers on the ground that there are 10 less ATC’s than would be typically expected.

At the conclusion of Senator Kim’s questions, Mr. McIntosh agreed to follow up with the Senator to figure out why he was reporting out different numbers from what Senator Kim was told by air traffic controllers in the TRACON and to keep him updated on staffing levels at PHL and EWR.

This hearing comes approximately one year after the initial FAA Re-Authorization Act was passed, and after Senator Kim recently went on-record calling for transparency from the Trump Administration regarding the problems that have become an increasingly regular occurrence at EWR Airport.

Senator Kim is a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sitting on the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, which has jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration and aviation programs within the Department of Transportation.

The Senator also serves on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Kim represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House and was a career public servant working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon. Learn more about Senator Kim’s service on behalf of New Jersey here.

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