Should Newark Airport close until air traffic control upgrades are made? Experts and officials debate safety and the economic impact.

Several equipment outages over the past two weeks at the Philadelphia-based air traffic control center that guides planes to and from Newark Liberty International Airport have raised concerns about how safe it is to fly at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

Moving air traffic controllers means retraining them on the quirks of a new facility, and the process can take years.

CHICAGO (Reuters) -United Airlines is facing a financial hit and potential long-term reputational harm as flight delays and cancellations pile up due to ongoing disruptions at Newark airport - one of its largest hubs and among the busiest in the country.

Technology and staffing problems have plagued the airport, one of the nation’s busiest hubs. Officials say they are trying to resolve the issues, but concerns remain.

Blank radar screens. Broken air traffic equipment. Flights in an out of Newark Airport delayed or canceled. Is it safe to fly here?

United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby told customers in an email Monday that it is “absolutely safe” to fly in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport following two weeks of technology and air-traffic control staffing issues that have plagued the New Jersey transit hub.

Democratic candidates for New Jersey governor sparred on the issues at a debate Monday night. In a debate hosted by NJ PBS and WNYC, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Steve Fulop, Rep. Josh Gottheimer,