As Labor Day Weekend travel ramps up, concerns continue at Newark Liberty International Airport after a ground stop led to hours of delays Thursday. 

The Federal Aviation Administration said equipment issues at the Philadelphia tower that handles Newark's flights impacted radio frequencies for some air traffic controllers. The ground stop was lifted Thursday afternoon, but delays continued into the evening. 

Flyers face some delays at Newark Airport

The airport has been plagued by equipment and staffing issues this summer, with air traffic controllers and pilots unable to communicate at times. 

The FAA says it is investigating, but audio recordings from the air traffic control towers show frustrations are growing. 

"We've just been having, like, really bad frequency issues and frequency failure, so that's why everyone was pretty much holding and a lot of delays coming into Newark, but you're good now," one air traffic controller could be heard saying.

"Good luck today," a pilot responded. 

"Oh, thanks. We need more than luck, we just need working equipment, you know," a controller replied.

Some passengers reported smooth sailing Friday afternoon at the airport with boards showing few delays.

"I think it's going to be OK because I am very lucky," said one traveler who was heading back home to Paris, France.

"No concerns yet. I haven't gotten any messages saying my flight's delayed or anything," California resident Alexa Lasclo said. "We have just, like, a six-hour layover before connecting flight so hopefully we take off on time."

"It's been great. We came through smoothly, no problem," said Bloomfield resident Nicky Stephenson, who was returning from a trip to Paris with her children.

Later in the day, however, some flights were delayed from 45 minutes to upwards of two hours due to staffing, weather or both, according to the FAA's air traffic control system command center.

"I did not expect it. This is the first time I've ever had a flight delayed," traveler Regina Drienzo said.

"It's been heinous, is the only way I can describe it. We had multiple flights canceled out of the Faroe Islands," traveler Victoria Clark said.

What to know traveling through NYC area airports

More than 2 million people are expected to travel through New York City area airports this holiday weekend. Travelers should check with their airlines for the status of individual flights. 

United, which has a hub at Newark, says more than 3 million people are expected on its airline -- 200,000 more than last year -- and 55,000 of them will travel through Newark.

The Transportation Security Administration urges people to arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. 

Travelers are also asked to use mass transit, if possible, especially at John F. Kennedy International Airport where a major construction project is underway. To help incentivize, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is reducing its AirTrain fare to half price. 

When to hit the roads or rails

It's going to be a busy weekend on the roads. According to AAA, the best times to head out are before noon Friday or as early as possible on Saturday. 

"Leave as early as possible. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, if you left before noon, you'd be in good shape," said AAA Northeast Senior Manager of Public Affairs Robert Sinclair Jr. "But our area, being third most popular destination, will see a lot of travelers to the city and through the city and from the city."

Some heading out Friday got tied up in traffic.

"It's the worst possible time to have to take a four-hour road trip that turned into a six-hour road trip," Connecticut resident Kelly Ledwith said.

"Jersey's moving real slow, especially the ramps. People cutting other people off and makes it a little difficult, you know," said John Rossi, from Dolgeville, New York.

Others looked on the bright side.

"Compared to a usual Friday, it's not bad all," one traveler said.

NJ Transit says it provided extra train and bus service Friday afternoon to help with any overcrowding. Also in New Jersey, the Hoboken PATH station will be closed for track work from 11:59 p.m. Thursday until 5 a.m. Tuesday.