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Newark Liberty International Airport, formerly known as Newark Metropolitan Airport, is a major airport serving the New York City area. The airport was first built in 1928 on 68 acres of marshland and was the first airport in the New York City area. Today, it is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the world, serving over 40 million passengers annually and handling a significant amount of cargo. In this text, we will explore the history of Newark Airport, its impact on the region, and its role as a global gateway.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Newark Airport was built | 1928 |
| Land area | 68 acres of marshland |
| First name | Newark Metropolitan Airport |
| First terminal built | 1934 |
| First air control station | 1935 |
| Renamed Newark International Airport | 1973 |
| Current name | Newark Liberty International Airport |
| Carriers served | 50 |
| Busiest year | 2023, with 49.1 million passengers |
| Largest airline hub | United Airlines |
| Second-largest tenant | FedEx |
| Number of runways | 3 |
| Number of helipads | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Newark Airport was built in 1928
Aviation fever gripped the United States in the 1920s. Tales were told of daredevils and heroes, and the business elite of Newark wanted in on the action. In 1928, Newark Airport was founded to serve the city's ambitions.
The airport, originally called Newark Metropolitan Airport, was built on 68 acres of marshland. It was constructed adjacent to Port Newark and U.S. Route 1. It had one 1,600-foot runway, the first hard-surfaced runway in the nation, and a 120-square-foot hangar. Newark Airport was the first airport to serve the New York City area, and it was considered the busiest commercial airport in the world until LaGuardia Airport opened in 1939.
The airport's first terminal, the Art Deco Administration Building, was built in 1934 and dedicated by Amelia Earhart in 1935. It served as the terminal until the North Terminal opened in 1953. The Administration Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The Port Authority took over the airport in 1948 and immediately began making improvements, including the addition of an instrument runway, a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre. Expansion continued through the decades, with the construction of further terminals, roadways, and taxiways. Today, Newark Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the world, serving over 40 million passengers annually.
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The airport's first terminal opened in 1934
The first terminal at Newark Airport, known as the Administration Building, opened in 1934. This Art Deco-style building, adorned with murals by Arshile Gorky, was the first passenger terminal in the United States. Designed by John Homlish, it served as the terminal until the North Terminal opened in 1953.
The Administration Building was dedicated by Amelia Earhart in 1935, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The building's construction began in January 1928, and the airport first opened on 1 October 1928 under the name Newark Metropolitan Airport. It was built on 68 acres of marshland and was the first airport to serve the New York City area.
Newark Airport was one of the first airports in the United States to feature a hard-surfaced runway. The runway was 1,600 feet long and covered with asphalt. By the fall of 1930, Newark was the world's busiest commercial airport.
The airport's early history was marked by triumphs and challenges. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the Army for logistics operations, and commercial flights were halted. Regular operations resumed in 1946, and in 1948, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took control of the airport and began making improvements. Despite criticisms of its design, Newark Airport flourished and set a precedent for modern airport runways.
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The airport was used by the US Army during World War II
Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States, has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the early days of aviation. The airport was officially opened for business in October 1928, but its origins and its contribution during World War II are particularly interesting.
During the war, the airport saw a variety of military activities. It became a key hub for the Air Transport Command, which was responsible for the rapid movement of troops and cargo across the country and overseas. The airport's runways and facilities were upgraded to accommodate military aircraft, including the massive B-24 Liberator bombers, which were produced nearby in a Ford Motor Company plant. The airport also served as a training ground for aircrews, with the 28th Army Air Force Bomb Squadron using the base for practice missions and as a staging area before their deployment overseas.
In addition to its military functions, the airport also contributed to the war effort on the home front. It served as a vital link in the chain of supply and logistics, with military and civilian personnel working together to ensure the smooth flow of troops and equipment. The airport's location made it an ideal stopover point for aircraft crossing the country or heading to Europe, and it played a crucial role in keeping the lines of communication and supply open during the critical years of the war.
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Newark Airport reopened for commercial flights in 1946
Newark Liberty International Airport, originally known as Newark Metropolitan Airport, has a long and fascinating history. It first opened its doors on October 1, 1928, as a municipal airport serving the New York City area. The airport was constructed on 68 acres of marshland, featuring a 1,600-foot runway—a pioneering achievement at the time.
However, with the onset of World War II, the airport's operations underwent a significant transformation. The airport was taken over by the Army for logistics and training purposes, and commercial flights were halted. During this period, LaGuardia Airport in Queens rose in popularity as an alternative for civilian travel.
In 1946, Newark Airport reopened for commercial flights, marking a new chapter in its history. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took control of the airport shortly after, in 1948, and embarked on a series of improvements. They added an instrument runway, a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre. The airport's original terminal, known as Building 51 or the Administration Building, was designed in the Art Deco style and dedicated by Amelia Earhart in 1935. It served as the first passenger terminal in the United States until the opening of the North Terminal in 1953.
Over the years, Newark Airport has continued to expand and evolve. By the early 1970s, the airport had undergone significant growth, with the construction of roadways, taxiways, and additional terminals. It was renamed Newark International Airport, reflecting its growing importance as a global gateway. Today, the airport serves 50 carriers and is a major hub for United Airlines, handling more than 30 million passengers annually. With its convenient location and efficient facilities, Newark Airport plays a crucial role in the bustling aviation landscape of the New York and New Jersey region.
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The Port Authority took over the airport in 1948
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took over Newark Airport in 1948, two years after it reopened following its use by the Army for logistics operations during World War II. The airport, which was built on 68 acres of marshland in 1928, was originally called Newark Metropolitan Airport.
The Port Authority quickly set about making improvements to the airport, including the addition of an instrument runway, a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre. These developments were part of an effort to transform the airport into a modern facility capable of handling the growing aviation industry.
The expansion and modernisation of Newark Airport continued over the following decades. By the 1970s, the airport had added roadways, taxiways, and a third terminal. Construction on a fourth terminal also began during this period, and the airport was renamed Newark International Airport.
The airport's expansion reflected the increasing demand for air travel and its crucial role as a gateway to the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas. Today, Newark Airport, now known as Newark Liberty International Airport, is a bustling aviation hub, serving over 30 million passengers annually and ranking as the third-largest hub for United Airlines.
The history of Newark Airport is characterised by early triumphs, innovation, and a lasting legacy as a significant global gateway.
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Frequently asked questions
The Newark Liberty International Airport was built in 1928 on 68 acres of marshland.
The first terminal at the Newark Airport, also known as the Administration Building, was built in the Art Deco style in 1934. It was dedicated by Amelia Earhart in 1935 and served as the terminal until the North Terminal opened in 1953.
By the fall of 1930, just two years after the airport opened, it was the world's busiest commercial airport.
The airport's first air control station was established in December 1935 after a plane crash outside of Kansas City that killed five people, including a U.S. senator. In 1937, construction began on the Brewster Hangar, which was completed in 1938 and was the most advanced of its time.
