The Story Behind Naming Newark Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport (formerly Newark International Airport) was originally named Newark Metropolitan Airport when it first opened on October 1, 1928. The airport, located on the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, was the first major airport in the New York metropolitan area and quickly became the world's busiest commercial airport. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the US Army for logistics operations and closed to commercial flights. When it reopened in 1946, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took control and began making improvements, including adding a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo center. In 2002, the airport's name was changed to its current form to honour United Airlines Flight 93, which departed from the airport on September 11, 2001, and to pay tribute to the Statue of Liberty, located about seven miles east of the airport.

The airport was originally named Newark Metropolitan Airport

During World War II, the airport was taken over by the United States Army for logistics operations and was closed to commercial flights. When it reopened in 1946, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took control of it and began making improvements, including adding a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre. The airport continued to expand in the 1970s with the construction of roadways, taxiways, and a third terminal. The airport's name was changed to Newark International Airport in the 1970s.

Expansion continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with the addition of a monorail system, an International Arrivals Facility, and a two-building maintenance complex. Today, Newark Airport is the third-largest hub for United Airlines and handles more than 30 million passengers every year. It is one of three airports that make up the largest airport system in the US and the world in terms of total flight operations.

In 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 left from Newark Airport headed for San Francisco, but hijackers took control of the plane. The plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 40 passengers and four hijackers. In 2002, the airport's name was changed from Newark International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport to honour Flight 93 and pay tribute to the Statue of Liberty.

It was renamed in 2002 to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks

The airport was originally named Newark Metropolitan Airport when it opened on October 1, 1928. It was the first major airport in the New York area and the busiest commercial airport in the world for 11 years. However, in 1939, with the opening of LaGuardia Airport, airlines began to leave Newark, and by 1940, all passenger airlines had left. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the United States Army for logistics operations and closed to commercial aviation.

When the airport reopened in 1946, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took control and began making improvements, including adding a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo center. In the 1970s, the airport's name was changed to Newark International Airport, and expansion continued over the following decades with the addition of new terminals, a monorail system, and other facilities.

Then, on September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 took off from Newark Airport headed for San Francisco. Hijackers took control of the plane, and it is believed that their intended target was Washington, D.C. The plane's 40 passengers tried to regain control, but it crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all passengers and the four hijackers.

In 2002, as a tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks and to honor the bravery of the passengers of Flight 93, the airport was renamed Newark Liberty International Airport. The new name also pays homage to the Statue of Liberty, which is located about seven miles east of the airport. This name was chosen over the initial proposal, "Liberty International Airport at Newark," emphasizing the airport's role as a symbol of freedom and resilience in the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

The airport was the first major airport in the New York area

For 11 years, Newark was the only airport to serve the New York area and was considered the busiest commercial airport in the world. This was until LaGuardia Airport opened in Queens in 1939, after which all passenger airlines left Newark by the middle of 1940.

When the United States entered World War II in 1941, the airport was closed to commercial aviation and taken over by the United States Army for logistics operations. It reopened in 1946, and improvements were made, including the addition of an instrument runway, a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo center.

The airport continued to expand throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with the construction of new terminals, roadways, taxiways, and a monorail system. In 1987, People Express Airlines merged with Continental Airlines, and operations were consolidated at the North Terminal. Today, Newark Airport is a major hub for United Airlines (which merged with Continental in 2010) and handles more than 30 million passengers annually.

Newark Airport was the busiest commercial airport in the world until 1939

Newark Liberty International Airport, located in Newark, New Jersey, is considered the first major commercial airport in North America. It opened on October 1, 1928, as Newark Metropolitan Airport and was built on 68 acres of marshland. For 11 years, it was the only airport serving the New York area and was the busiest commercial airport in the world until LaGuardia Airport opened in Queens in 1939.

Newark Airport was built to boost the economic growth of Newark, with city elites, the mayor, and Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover recognizing the importance of aviation for the city's future. The airport was constructed adjacent to Port Newark and U.S. Route 1. During its early years, it was the site of many "firsts," including the use of runway marker lights, radio beacons for safe landings in foggy conditions, the first hard-surface runway in the United States, and the country's first air traffic control tower.

The airport's early success was a source of pride for Newark residents, as it symbolized the city's ambition to become 'The Metropolis of Tomorrow.' This ambition was, however, a source of rivalry with neighboring New York City, which viewed Newark's aviation achievements as a threat to its own transit system and skyline splendor.

Newark Airport continued to thrive, serving as a major gateway to destinations worldwide. By 2022, it had served 43.4 million passengers, ranking as the 13th busiest airport in the United States and the 23rd busiest worldwide. The airport has undergone significant expansions over the years, including the addition of roadways, taxiways, runways, terminals, and a monorail system. Today, it remains a vital hub, serving 50 carriers and handling over 30 million passengers annually.

The airport was taken over by the US Army during World War II

The Newark Liberty International Airport was originally named Newark Metropolitan Airport when it first opened on October 1, 1928. The airport was built on 68 acres of marshland in Newark, New Jersey, and served as the only airport in the New York area for 11 years. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the United States Army for logistics operations and closed to commercial flights. This takeover was part of a broader effort by the US Army to establish airfields in New Jersey for training pilots and aircrews and to support the supply of overseas air forces.

The history of Newark Airport during World War II can be understood through the following paragraphs:

The US Army Takes Over: When the United States entered World War II in 1941, the country's focus shifted to the war effort, and the Newark Airport was no exception. The airport, which had been a bustling hub of commercial aviation, soon found itself under the management of the US Army, specifically the Army Air Forces (USAAF) or the Army Air Corps. Commercial airlines gradually left the airport, and by 1940, all passenger airlines had departed, making way for the military's utilization of the facility.

Logistics and Supply Operations: The primary purpose of the US Army's takeover of Newark Airport was to use it for logistics and supply operations. With the growing importance of supplying overseas air forces and the need for efficient control of supply shipments, the airport became a crucial link in the chain of military operations. The airfield played a vital role in ensuring that the necessary equipment, personnel, and supplies reached the front lines, contributing to the broader war effort.

Training and Support: The US Army also utilized the airport as a training ground for pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers. While most of the airfields in New Jersey were under the command of the First Air Force or the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC), the support commands like the Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) and Air Transport Command (ATC) also played a significant role in managing a considerable number of airfields, including Newark. These support commands ensured that the necessary infrastructure and training facilities were in place to prepare military personnel for their roles during the war.

Women in Aviation: An interesting aspect of Newark Airport's history during World War II was the contribution of women to aviation. With a shortage of pilots for the Army Air Force, an all-volunteer contingent of female pilots, known as Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), was formed. These women performed various tasks, including flying missions, towing targets for practice, and airlifting cargo. Their service was integral to the war effort, and Newark Airport served as a base for some of these pioneering female aviators.

Post-War Transition: After World War II ended, Newark Airport reopened for commercial flights in 1946. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took control of the airport and immediately began making improvements, including adding an instrument runway, a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo center. This marked a new chapter in the airport's history, as it transitioned back to civilian use and once again became a bustling hub for air travel.

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