Newark Liberty International Airport stayed open on August 31, 2026, after a shuttle bus collided with a concrete barrier on Terminal B Departure Level 3 around 3 a.m., injuring 13 people. The crash forced the closure of the Terminal B Departure Level 3 roadway but did not lead to an airport-wide shutdown.
Airport Operations Continue with Flight Delays Under 15 Minutes
Flight operations at Newark Liberty International Airport proceeded on the day of the incident, with United Airlines maintaining scheduled flights to and from Newark, including routes to Dallas-Fort Worth, Boston, Washington DC, Nassau, Shannon, and Delhi. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported general gate holds and taxi delays
of 15 minutes or less for the airport on August 31.
FAA Staffing Shortages Cause Widespread Flight Disruptions
Despite the shuttle bus crash causing localized disruption, ongoing FAA staffing shortages contributed to over 1,700 flight delays and 115 cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport on the same day. These operational challenges affected broader flight scheduling but did not compromise airport functionality.
Traveler Guidance Amid Terminal B Roadway Closure
The closure of the Level 3 departure roadway at Terminal B, due to police investigation, required passengers to use Level 2 departure areas as an alternative. Travelers were advised to allow extra time for potential traffic congestion during drop-off and departure. The FAA recommended passengers rely
on airline-specific information for flight updates rather than general airport status. Passengers with cancelled or altered flights were directed to contact their carriers directly for rebooking or refunds.
Newark Liberty Airport Passenger Volume and Flight Operations
Newark Liberty International Airport accommodated approximately 47 million passengers in 2025. The shuttle bus incident on August 31, 2026, did not lead to a broad closure or diversion of inbound flights, with scheduled domestic and international services continuing as planned on that day.
