Newark Airport: Which City Does It Serve?

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located on the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, in the state of New Jersey. The airport is jointly owned by the two cities and is leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Newark Airport is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania.

Newark Liberty International Airport's location

Newark Liberty International Airport is located on the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, in the state of New Jersey. The airport is jointly owned by the two cities and is leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Newark is about 30 kilometres from Manhattan, New York, and is considered the main airport for the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut region. It is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan.

Newark Airport is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. It is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system, behind John F. Kennedy International Airport, and it served 43.4 million passengers in 2022, making it the 13th-busiest airport in the nation and the 23rd-busiest in the world. The busiest year to date was 2023, when it served 49.1 million passengers.

Newark Airport is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. It is a major hub for United Airlines, which serves about 63% of passengers at the airport, making it the largest tenant. The airport has three major terminals (A, B, and C) and 125 gates in total. Terminal A has three concourses (A1, A2, and A3) in circular satellite buildings, while Terminal B has three levels, featuring a passenger screening system, a baggage claim hall, and additional passenger lounges. Terminal C was reconstructed and expanded under a $1.2 billion program, doubling the capacity for departures.

The airport was constructed on 68 acres (28 hectares) of marshland in 1928, making it the first major airport in the metropolitan area. During World War II, the facility was operated by the United States Army Air Corps, and in 1948, the Port Authority took over, constructing an instrument runway, a terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre. Newark Airport expanded dramatically in the 1980s, and in 1996, a monorail system was designed to connect all three terminals and other facilities.

Newark Airport's history

Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR) is located on the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, in Essex and Union Counties, New Jersey, respectively. The airport is jointly owned by the two cities and leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Newark Airport was founded in 1928 on 68 acres of marshland, with its first terminal, the Art Deco Administration Building, constructed in 1934. The airport was initially known as Newark Metropolitan Airport and was the first in the United States with a concrete runway, a dedicated hangar, a control tower, and other modern components. It was the first airport in the New York area, serving as the only major airport in the region for 11 years until LaGuardia Airport opened in 1939.

During World War II, the airport was taken over by the United States Army for logistics operations and closed to commercial flights. The Army Air Corps operated the facility during this period. After the war, in 1946, the airport resumed operations, and in 1948, the Port Authority took over, leading to significant improvements, including the addition of an instrument runway, a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre.

The airport continued to expand in the following decades, with the construction of a third and fourth terminal, and the introduction of a monorail system in the late 1990s to connect the terminals, parking facilities, and rental car services. The airport's name was changed to Newark International Airport in the 1970s. On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 departed from Newark Airport but was hijacked by terrorists, leading to a tragic crash in Pennsylvania. In 2002, the airport was renamed Newark Liberty International Airport to honour the victims of Flight 93 and pay tribute to the Statue of Liberty, located seven miles east of the airport.

Today, Newark Liberty International Airport is a major aviation hub, serving as a gateway to destinations worldwide. It is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system and the third-largest hub for United Airlines, handling over 30 million passengers annually.

Newark Airport's terminals

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located on the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan. The airport is jointly owned by the two cities and leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Newark Airport has three terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C. Each terminal serves a specific purpose and caters to different airlines. Terminal A is the oldest of the three and is designated for domestic and regional flights. It has three concourses, A1, A2, and A3, and features a wide range of shops, including duty-free shops, as well as nursing suites, pet relief stations, currency exchange centres, and charging stations. Terminal B, the central terminal, has also been expanded to three levels, featuring a new inline baggage screening system, a passenger screening system, a new baggage claim hall, and additional lounges and concessions. It offers a diverse selection of dining and shopping options, including an Irish pub, a beer cafe, and several restaurants. Terminal B also provides free Wi-Fi and shoeshine services. Terminal C, exclusively used by United Airlines, was reconstructed and expanded under a $1.2 billion programme called the Continental Airlines Global Gateway Project, doubling its departure capacity and adding 1,500 passengers per hour to its arrival scale.

The three terminals are connected by the AirTrain Newark monorail system, which also links to the Newark Liberty International Airport Railway Station served by NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line, as well as Amtrak's Northeast Regional and Keystone Service routes.

Newark Airport's transport links

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located on the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, 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 two cities and leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Newark Airport is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania.

Newark Airport is easily accessible by road, with Interstate 95 and Interstate 78, both part of the New Jersey Turnpike, located nearby. U.S. Route 1 is also adjacent to the airport, and Routes 1 and 9 have junctions with U.S. Route 22, Route 81, and Route 21.

The airport is well-connected to the region's rail network. The Newark Liberty International Airport Station is served by two NJ TRANSIT train lines: the Northeast Corridor Line and the North Jersey Coast Line. The station is fully ADA-accessible and offers connections to New York, Trenton, Long Branch, and intermediate points. 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 AirTrain Newark monorail system connects the airport terminals to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, providing easy access for passengers.

In addition to rail options, Newark Airport is served by bus services. The 62 Bus operated by NJ TRANSIT provides frequent service to and from Newark Penn Station. Additionally, the Newark Airport Express offers bus services to Grand Central Station in Manhattan.

For those using ridesharing services, Uber, Lyft, or taxi services are accessible via Newark Penn Station or North Elizabeth Station, connected to the airport through train services. Rideshares can also be hailed from Parking Garage P4.

Newark Airport's busiest year

Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR) is located on the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. The airport is jointly owned by the two cities and leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The airport opened on October 1, 1928, as the first major airport in the metropolitan area and rapidly became the world's busiest commercial airport. The City of Newark built the airport on 68 acres (28 ha) of marshland, and the Army Air Corps operated the facility during World War II. After the war, in 1948, the Port Authority took over the facility and constructed an instrument runway, a terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre.

The airport has three major terminals: Terminal A, B, and C. Terminal A officially opened on December 8, 2022, with 33 gates, increasing Newark's gate total to 125. Terminal B has three levels, with new inline baggage screening systems, a passenger screening system, a new baggage claim hall, and additional passenger lounges and concessions. Terminal C was reconstructed and expanded to double the capacity for departures under a $1.2 billion program known as the Continental Airlines Global Gateway Project, bringing the total number of gates to 59.

The busiest year for Newark Liberty International Airport was 2023, when it served 49.1 million passengers, making it the 13th busiest airport in the nation and the 23rd busiest airport in the world. The airport serves 50 carriers and is the largest hub for United Airlines, which serves about 63% of passengers. The second-largest tenant is FedEx, followed by JetBlue Airways and American Airlines.

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