Airports In New Jersey: What You Need To Know

New Jersey, a state in the US, is home to several airports. These include international airports, such as the Newark Liberty International Airport, as well as public-use and military airports. There are 16 airports in New Jersey, with some sources claiming there are 53. The state also has reliever airports, which reduce congestion at large commercial airports, and general aviation airports.

New Jersey's international airports

New Jersey has 16 airports, 5 of which are major airports. However, only 3 airports offer commercial flights and are classified by the FAA. Newark Airport is the largest airport in New Jersey and one of the busiest US airports on the East Coast. It is located between Newark City and Elizabeth City and is approximately 15km away from NYC's Manhattan Borough. The airport serves about 50 carriers, and United Airlines has a hub there. Newark Airport is a popular alternative for travellers who would usually fly into NYC.

The second busiest airport in New Jersey is Atlantic City Airport, located about 16km from Atlantic City. This airport is the primary choice for travellers going to a resort in Atlantic City, or other cities along New Jersey's Atlantic coast. Spirit Airlines is currently the only carrier operating at the airport, but it still handles more than a million passengers each year.

The remaining airports in New Jersey are either publicly or privately owned. They are either commercial service–primary or non-primary, reliever, or general aviation airports. Commercial service–primary airports are publicly owned and receive scheduled passenger service, with more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year. Commercial service–non-primary airports have at least 2,500 passenger boardings annually. Reliever airports are designated to reduce congestion at large commercial service airports, while also providing more general aviation access to the community. General aviation airports are the largest single group of airports in the US airport system.

Commercial service airports

New Jersey has 53 airports, two of which are international airports: Atlantic City International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. The Atlantic City International Airport, located in Egg Harbor, receives more than a million passengers annually. It is disability-friendly and accords top priority to customer satisfaction. Newark Liberty International Airport is located in Newark.

• Trenton-Mercer Airport: This airport is located in Trenton, the state capital of New Jersey. It is served by a variety of airlines, including Frontier Airlines, offering flights to destinations such as Orlando and Tampa.
• Atlantic City International Airport: In addition to being an international airport, it is also a joint civil-military airport located in Egg Harbor Township, about 10 miles northwest of Atlantic City. The airport is served by airlines such as Spirit Airlines, offering flights to destinations across the United States.
• Newark Liberty International Airport: Located in Newark, this airport is one of the busiest in the region. It serves as a hub for United Airlines and is a focus city for JetBlue Airways. It offers a wide range of domestic and international flights.
• Sussex Airport: This airport is a public-use airport situated in Sussex County, owned by Green Township. It is located about six kilometres southwest of the central business district of Andover.
• Princeton Airport: Princeton Airport is a public-use airport located in Montgomery Township, Somerset County. It is privately owned by the Princeton Aero Corporation and is situated about three miles north of Princeton.

Reliever airports

New Jersey has a total of 16 airports, which are grouped by type and sorted by location. These include public-use, military, private-use, and former airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designates reliever airports to alleviate congestion at large commercial service airports and improve general aviation access for the community.

In New Jersey, reliever airports are strategically located to support the state's busier commercial airports. While the specific reliever airports in New Jersey are not explicitly mentioned, they are likely situated near the major airports in the state. These reliever airports provide valuable relief to the primary airports, ensuring efficient air traffic management and enhancing safety measures by reducing overcrowding.

Although not classified as reliever airports, it is worth noting that New Jersey is home to several general aviation airports. General aviation airports constitute the largest single group of airports in the US airport system. They cater to a diverse range of aircraft, including private planes, charter flights, and small aircraft used for recreational purposes. These general aviation airports contribute to the overall aviation infrastructure in New Jersey, complementing the functions of both commercial and reliever airports.

General aviation airports

Teterboro Airport in New Jersey is a reliever airport that charges a ramp fee for single-engine planes, which can be waived if a certain amount of fuel is purchased. Lincoln Park Airport is another airport in New Jersey, and one flyer reports having taken their first light plane ride there. There is also a mention of a small grassroots airport in Newton, New Jersey, that appears to be suffering from a lack of interest.

While major airports in New Jersey, such as Newark Liberty International Airport, handle the bulk of commercial passenger traffic, these general aviation airports foster a culture of aviation enthusiasts, hobbyists, and local businesses. They provide opportunities for flight training, aircraft maintenance, and local tourism. Additionally, reliever airports like Teterboro help manage congestion at busier airports, ensuring a more efficient and accessible aviation system in the state.

Military airports

New Jersey is home to several military airports, some of which were established during World War II as airfields for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers. Many of these airfields were under the command of the First Air Force or the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC).

Today, there are a number of military airports still in operation in New Jersey, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, located in Burlington and Ocean Counties. This base is unique in that it is operated by the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy, and it serves as a training ground for all three branches. It is also home to the 87th Air Base Wing, which provides operational support for the base's missions.

Another notable military airport in New Jersey is the Lakehurst Maxfield Field Airport, which is located on the former site of Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. This airport has a rich history, as it was the site of the infamous Hindenburg disaster in 1937, where the Hindenburg airship caught fire and was destroyed during its landing. Today, the airport is primarily used for military and government aviation, and it houses a variety of aircraft, including blimps and helicopters.

In addition to these active military airports, there are also several former wartime airfields that have been converted into municipal airports or returned to agricultural use. Some of these former airfields, such as the ones that were retained as United States Air Force installations, played important roles during the Cold War as front-line bases. Today, remnants of these wartime airfields can still be found throughout New Jersey, serving as reminders of the state's significant contribution to military aviation history.

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