FAA modernization · Newark

Does EWR Still Use Paper Flight Strips?

Newark Liberty International is one of 89 airports in the FAA's TFDM modernization program. This page isolates its current status, published schedule, evidence, and latest verification.

Updated Verified
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EWRAirport
ScheduledCurrent status
October 24, 2028Published target

EWR's electronic flight strips status

Newark Liberty International

Scheduled
Newark, NJ Published target October 24, 2028

EWR is still awaiting its TFDM cutover, with a published planning target of October 24, 2028. FAA program dates have moved before, so the tracker treats this as a schedule marker rather than a guarantee.

Late in the queue — New York towers also need a departure-sequencing interface.

Sources (2) verified Aug 11, 2026
  1. FAA Modern Skies
  2. US DOT Inspector General

What changes when EWR goes digital

Paper flight strips are physical records controllers print, mark by hand, and pass between positions. TFDM moves that workflow to electronic displays and connects it to surface tools that help sequence departures and manage taxi-out demand. It is an airport-tower rollout, separate from the radar and telecom programs also included in the FAA's Modern Skies banner.

The status above follows airport-specific evidence. A national deadline or an old waterfall schedule is not treated as proof that EWR is live; the page changes only when the cited sources support the new status.

United construction at EWR

Tower modernization is only one infrastructure story here. The United hub tracker follows 3 club, terminal, gate, or airport projects at EWR, with separate labels for United-funded work and airport-authority construction.

See every tracked United project at EWR →

Quick answers

Does EWR use electronic flight strips?

EWR is still awaiting its TFDM cutover, with a published planning target of October 24, 2028. FAA program dates have moved before, so the tracker treats this as a schedule marker rather than a guarantee.

When will EWR stop using paper flight strips?

The latest published planning date is October 24, 2028. It can move as the FAA resequences installations, so the tracker will not call it complete until a source confirms the go-live.

What is TFDM at EWR?

Terminal Flight Data Manager is the FAA system replacing paper flight strips with electronic flight data displays and surface-management tools. At EWR, the tracker follows the airport-specific installation status rather than the broader national program promise.

Check another United hub tower