The Sprawling Extent Of Newark Liberty Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. Located in New Jersey, it is jointly owned by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth and is leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The airport is one of the busiest in the country, serving 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. It is the largest hub for United Airlines, which operates in three buildings covering approximately 2 million square feet of airport property. The airport has three major terminals (A, B, and C) with 59 gates in total, and its current air traffic control tower stands at 325 feet tall.

Terminals and concourses

Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR) has three major terminals: Terminal A, B, and C. Each terminal serves a specific purpose and caters to different airlines. Terminal A is designated for domestic and regional flights, while Terminal B has 15 international arrivals gates. Terminal C was reconstructed and expanded to double the capacity for departures. The airport is served by 50 carriers, with United Airlines being the largest tenant, serving about 63% of passengers.

Terminal A has three concourses: A1, A2, and A3, housed in circular satellite buildings. The main building measures about 800 by 165 feet and recently added a Welcome Center. Terminal B has been expanded to three levels, introducing new inline baggage screening systems, a passenger screening system, a new baggage claim hall, and additional passenger lounges and concessions. The reconstruction of Terminal C brought the total number of gates to 59, increasing the arrival capacity to an additional 1,500 passengers per hour.

The airport's original terminal, Building 51, also known as the Administration Building, was designed by John Homlish in the 1930s. It housed the airport's first air traffic control tower. In 1960, a concrete brutalist-styled and toothbrush-shaped control tower was built, designed by Allan Gordon Lorimer, at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. This tower was replaced in 2002 and demolished in 2004. The current air traffic control tower, located next to a Marriott hotel, stands at 325 feet tall (99 m) and overlooks the Manhattan skyline and the George Washington Bridge.

The terminals are connected by the AirTrain Newark monorail system, which also connects to the Newark Liberty International Airport Railway Station. The AirTrain is free for passengers travelling between terminals, and the United Airlines Shuttle Bus is also available for connections without the need to re-enter security.

History and ownership

Newark Liberty International Airport first opened on 1 October 1928 as Newark Metropolitan Airport. It was built on 68 acres of marshland and its first terminal, the Art Deco Administration Building, was built in 1934. The airport was founded to serve the city of Newark's ambitions to become a hub for aviation technology. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the United States Army for logistics operations and closed to commercial flights.

When the airport reopened in 1946, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took control of it and began making improvements, including the addition of an instrument runway, a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre. In the 1970s, the airport's name was changed to Newark International Airport, and expansion continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s. A monorail system was added in 1996, connecting the airport's terminals, parking, rental car facilities, and the Newark Airport train station.

In 2002, the airport's name was changed to Newark Liberty International Airport to honour the victims of the September 11 attacks and to pay tribute to the Statue of Liberty, which is located about 7 miles east of the airport. The airport is jointly owned by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth and is leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Today, Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport, serving over 40 million passengers a year and connecting Newark to cultural and economic capitals worldwide. It serves as a gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. The airport has three major terminals (Terminal A, B, and C) and is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system.

Employment and economic impact

Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR) 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, the airport is a key gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. With its close proximity to New York City, EWR serves as a critical transportation hub, facilitating the dynamic movement of people and goods, and driving economic growth in the region.

In 2022, the airport served 43.4 million passengers, ranking as the 13th busiest airport in the United States and the 23rd busiest worldwide. The following year, in 2023, EWR experienced its busiest year to date, accommodating 49.1 million passengers. This significant passenger volume underscores the airport's role as a major travel centre and economic engine.

The airport supports a diverse range of businesses and services, including multiple airlines, hotels, restaurants, and ground transportation options. United Airlines, the largest tenant at the airport, operates from three buildings covering approximately 2 million square feet (0.19 square kilometres) of airport property. The airline serves about 63% of passengers at EWR, highlighting its substantial contribution to the airport's operations and economic impact.

The airport also provides employment opportunities for numerous individuals, both directly and indirectly. Various job roles within the airport encompass positions in aviation security, customer service, culinary services, construction, engineering, management, and more. The availability of jobs across different sectors and the potential for career growth contribute to the local and regional economy by providing stable income sources for residents.

Moreover, the airport's continuous expansion and development plans reinforce its long-term economic impact. The Port Authority's EWR Vision, announced in October 2022, outlines short- and long-term goals through 2065. This includes the completion of the new Terminal A in January 2023 and the ongoing replacement of the AirTrain, now expected to be finished in 2029. By investing in infrastructure and improvements, the airport demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the travel experience, supporting economic prosperity, and solidifying its status as a pivotal transportation hub for the region and beyond.

Transport links

Newark Liberty International 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 is easily accessible by road, with close links to Interstate 95 and Interstate 78, which are components of the New Jersey Turnpike, as well as U.S. Route 1.

The airport is also well-connected by rail. The Newark Liberty International Airport Station is served by two NJ TRANSIT train lines: the Northeast Corridor Line and the North Jersey Coast Line. At least six trains stop every hour at the airport station between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, with four trains stopping every hour between 9 p.m. and midnight. The airport station is fully ADA-accessible and equipped with escalators, elevators, and stairs. The AirTrain Newark monorail system connects the airport terminals to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, with the AirTrain access fee included in the NJ TRANSIT ticket price. Amtrak routes also stop at the airport station, with the monorail fare included in the Amtrak ticket.

For those travelling to New York, the Northeast Corridor Line provides a direct connection, with trains designated with an airplane or "EWR" on departure boards. Passengers can also connect at Newark Penn Station or Secaucus Junction for other destinations in New Jersey.

Ridesharing services such as Uber, Lyft, and taxis are not available directly at the airport station. However, these services can be accessed at Newark Penn Station or North Elizabeth Station via the train services. Rideshares can also be hailed from Parking Garage P4.

Control towers

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 in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

The airport's original terminal, or Building 51, also known as the Administration Building, housed the first air traffic control tower for the airport. Designed by John Homlish in the 1930s, it was the nation's first air traffic control tower. A concrete brutalist-styled and toothbrush-shaped control tower was then built in 1960, designed by architect Allan Gordon Lorimer. This was replaced in 2002 by the current air traffic control tower, which is 325 feet tall (99 m).

The controllers at the airport are responsible for shepherding the airport's own traffic through congested airspace, as well as monitoring and controlling a huge amount of air traffic passing through its designated airspace. This includes controlling between 300 and 600 general aviation movements through the airport's airspace during the warm weather months, of which around 20 may land at Newark. Most of these flights are helicopters, primarily from tour operators operating up and down the Hudson River.

The current control tower is located next to a Marriott hotel, and overlooks the Manhattan skyline and the George Washington Bridge.

Frequently asked questions