New Jersey Airport: A Sprawling Transportation Hub

New Jersey is home to 16 airports, including the major international airport, Newark Liberty International Airport. This airport is located 4.5 miles from downtown Newark and 9 miles from Manhattan, serving as a gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. The airport is jointly owned by Newark and Elizabeth and leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system, handling 43.4 million passengers in 2022 and 49.1 million in 2023, making it the 13th busiest airport in the US and 23rd busiest worldwide.

Newark Liberty International Airport's busiest year

Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. Located approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan, it is jointly owned by the cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The airport is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania.

The airport's busiest year was in 2023, when it served 49.1 million passengers, surpassing the previous record set in 2022 when it served 43.4 million passengers. Newark Liberty International Airport is the second busiest airport in the New York airport system, behind John F. Kennedy International Airport, and ahead of LaGuardia Airport.

The airport has three terminals and is served by U.S. Route 1/9, which provides connections to Route 81 and Interstate 78. The airport's northern, eastern, and western perimeters are surrounded by Brewster Road, a two-lane road that connects to the North area, South area, Port Authority police, and most parking lots. The airport offers both short and long-term parking lots with shuttle buses and monorail access to the terminals.

The airport's monorail system, AirTrain Newark, connects the terminals with the Newark Liberty International Airport Railway Station. The station is served by New Jersey Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line, providing connections to regional rail hubs such as Newark Penn Station, Secaucus Junction, and New York Penn Station. Additionally, Amtrak's Northeast Regional and Keystone Service trains also serve the airport station.

In recent years, the airport has undergone redevelopments, including the opening of the new Terminal A in January 2023, which received several awards and recognition for its design and functionality. These improvements, along with the surge in demand for international travel, have contributed to the airport's busiest years and reflect the positive transformation of the region's air travel industry.

The airport's location and ownership

Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR) is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. The airport is located approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan. The airport straddles the boundary between the cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The airport's official address is 3 Brewster Road.

Newark Liberty International Airport is jointly owned by the two cities it straddles, Newark and Elizabeth. The airport itself is leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The airport is located near the Newark Airport Interchange, the junction between Interstate 95 and Interstate 78, both of which are components of the New Jersey Turnpike. The airport is also served by U.S. Route 1/9, which provides connections to Route 81 and Interstate 78. The interchange where U.S. Route 1/9, U.S. Route 22, New Jersey Route 21, Interstate 78, and Interstate 95 meet is known as the Newark Airport Interchange.

The airport is accessible via Brewster Road, a two-lane road that primarily serves to connect to the North area, South area, Port Authority police, and most parking lots. The airport operates short and long-term parking lots with shuttle buses and monorail access to the terminals. A monorail system, AirTrain Newark, connects the airport terminals with the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. The station is served by New Jersey Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line, offering connections to regional rail hubs such as Newark Penn Station, Secaucus Junction, and New York Penn Station.

The City of Newark built the airport on 68 acres (28 ha) of marshland in 1928. The airport was constructed adjacent to Port Newark and U.S. Route 1. During World War II, the Army Air Corps operated the facility, and the United States Army took over the field for logistics operations when the U.S. joined the war in 1941. The Port Authority assumed control of the facility in 1948, and an instrument runway, a terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre were constructed.

Transport links to the airport

Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. The airport is located approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan. It is jointly owned by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, and the airport itself is leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The airport is served directly by U.S. Route 1/9, which provides connections to Route 81 and Interstate 78, both of which have interchanges with the New Jersey Turnpike at Interstate 95's exits 13A and 14, respectively. The interchange where U.S. Route 1/9, U.S. Route 22, New Jersey Route 21, Interstate 78, and Interstate 95 meet is known as the Newark Airport Interchange. The airport's northern, eastern, and western perimeters are surrounded by Brewster Road, a two-lane road that primarily serves to connect to the North area, South area, and Port Authority police, as well as most parking lots.

The airport is also accessible via public transportation, with two NJ TRANSIT train lines serving the airport: the Northeast Corridor Line and the North Jersey Coast Line. At least six NJ TRANSIT trains stop every hour at the Newark Liberty International Airport Station between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and four trains stop every hour between 9 p.m. and midnight. The airport station is also served by Amtrak's Northeast Regional and Keystone Service routes. Passengers can use the AirTrain Newark monorail system to connect between the airport terminals and the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. The AirTrain is fully ADA accessible and equipped with escalators, elevators, and stairs.

For those arriving at the airport after the Newark Liberty International Airport Station has closed for the evening, ridesharing services (such as Uber and Lyft) and taxis are available from Newark Penn Station or North Elizabeth Station, which can be accessed via the train services. Rideshares can also be hailed from Parking Garage P4.

History of the airport

The history of Newark Liberty International Airport is one of early triumphs, bitter rivalries, and a lasting legacy as a global gateway. The airport's history dates back to the 1920s when Newark, New Jersey, was home to two airfields: Heller Field, which opened in 1919, and Hadley Field, which opened in 1924. Both airfields were used by the United States airmail service, with Heller Field closing in May 1921 and all air mail services moving to Hadley Field.

In 1927, there were growing calls for a new airport in the Newark area, including from the city's mayor. This was due to the desire for an airfield closer to New York City. The City of Newark heeded these calls and built the airport on 68 acres of marshland in 1928, adjacent to Port Newark and U.S. Route 1. During World War II, the facility was operated by the Army Air Corps, and when the United States joined the war in late 1941, the field was closed to commercial aviation and taken over by the Army for logistics operations.

After the war, the airport reopened to commercial service in February 1946. In 1948, the City of Newark leased the airport to the Port of New York Authority (now the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), which took operational control and began investing in capital improvements, including new hangars, a terminal, and runway 4/22. The airport's Building One from 1935 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The airport has had its fair share of controversies and setbacks, including criticism for its design, the construction of highways that reduced its proximity advantage, and rivalry with neighbouring airports. Despite these challenges, Newark Liberty International Airport has grown to become a major international airport, serving 43.4 million passengers in 2022 and 49.1 million in 2023, its busiest year to date. It is a significant gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania, and it is jointly owned by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, with the airport leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Airlines and tenants at the airport

Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR) is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. The airport is jointly owned by the cities of Newark, Essex County, and Elizabeth, Union County, in the US state of New Jersey.

As of 2025, EWR serves 50 carriers and is the fourth-largest hub for United Airlines, which is also the airport's largest tenant. During a 12-month period ending in March 2022, United Airlines carried about 63% of all passengers at the airport. The second-largest tenant is FedEx, which operates in three buildings on approximately two million square feet of airport property. Other airlines serving EWR include JetBlue Airways, which carries 11.4% of passengers, and American Airlines, which carries 5.6%.

The airport covers 2,027 acres and has three runways and one helipad. It is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. EWR is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system, behind John F. Kennedy International Airport and ahead of LaGuardia Airport.

The airport is easily accessible via road and rail. It is served by U.S. Route 1/9, which provides connections to Route 81 and Interstate 78, both of which interchange with the New Jersey Turnpike. The airport's official address is 3 Brewster Road, and it is surrounded by a two-lane road that connects to parking lots and the North and South areas. The AirTrain Newark monorail system connects the airport terminals to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, served by New Jersey Transit and Amtrak.

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