At times Monday evening, as few as three air traffic controllers per hour were lined up to monitor via radar the planes flying into and out of the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The claims, which the Federal Aviation Administration hasn’t confirmed, emerged a week after Newark airspace controllers lost all communication for as long as 90 seconds.

Passengers traveling in and out of Newark at the end of the week shouldn't expect smooth sailing. Here's the latest at the New Jersey airport.

Similar to last summer, there is currently a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, which will “take time” to replenish, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Caught in the middle of the issues at Newark is United Airlines, which is the most active airline at the New Jersey airport. While the problems lie with the FAA system, the airline is where people often aim their frustrations over cancellations and delays.

The United States aviation industry continues to grapple with the worst air traffic controller shortage in nearly 30 years as a recent spate of incidents has thrust the high-stress profession into the spotlight.

A reporter asked Duffy on Monday why the first Trump administration chose not to address the air traffic control system during his first term in office, noting that Duffy said it was a “decades-old” problem. However, Duffy’s answer left many users on social media scratching their heads.

One air traffic controller (ATC) and a trainee will operate every flight in and out of Newark between 6.30pm-9.30pm — despite 15 staffers being the standard requirement for a shift.