Owais Crawford
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving 43.4 million passengers in 2022, and a record 49.1 million in 2023. The airport is located 15 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan and 60 miles northeast of Philadelphia, serving both metropolitan areas. Newark Airport is a hub for several cargo airlines, including FedEx Express, UPS, and United Airlines, which is the largest tenant at the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Newark Liberty International Airport |
| Airport Code | EWR |
| Address | 3 Brewster Road, Newark, New Jersey |
| Year of Construction | 1928 |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Number of Terminals | 3 (A, B and C) |
| Number of Carriers | 50 |
| Major Carriers | United Airlines, FedEx Express, UPS, Virgin Atlantic, Continental Airlines |
| Number of Daily Flights | 1,200 |
| Daily Passenger Count | 135,000 |
| Busiest Year | 2023 (49.1 million passengers) |
| Distance from Midtown Manhattan | 15 miles (24 km) |
| Distance from Philadelphia | 60 miles (97 km) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Newark Airport's history
The history of Newark Airport, officially known as Newark Liberty International Airport, dates back to the early 20th century. The city of Newark's first attempt to establish an airport was Heller Field, founded in 1919 on the border of Belleville and Forest Hill in the North Ward. Heller Field was intended to serve as a base for Air Mail operations, but it was short-lived due to a short airstrip and challenging approach that resulted in several accidents. It was closed in 1921.
In 1928, Newark Airport, then known as Newark Metropolitan Airport, was constructed on 68 acres of marshland. It officially opened on October 1, 1928, becoming the first airport in the United States with a concrete runway, a dedicated hangar, and a control tower. During its early years, Newark Airport served as the only airport for the New York area for 11 years and was considered the busiest commercial airport in the world until LaGuardia Airport opened in 1939.
During World War II, the airport was taken over by the Army for logistics operations and closed to commercial flights. It reopened in 1946, and in 1948, the Port Authority took over, beginning a series of improvements, including the construction of an instrument runway, a terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo center.
In the 1970s, Newark Airport experienced a period of underutilization, but it expanded significantly in the 1980s. People Express struck a deal with the Port Authority in 1981, and Virgin Atlantic began service between Newark and London in 1984, challenging JFK's status as New York's international gateway. Federal Express (now FedEx Express) established its second hub at the airport in 1986.
The airport's name was changed to Newark International Airport, and it continued to expand in the 1990s with the addition of a monorail system and an International Arrivals Facility. On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 departed from Newark Airport but was tragically hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania. In 2002, the airport was renamed Newark Liberty International Airport to honour the victims of the September 11 attacks and to pay tribute to the Statue of Liberty, located seven miles east of the airport.
Today, Newark Airport is a major aviation hub and the third-largest hub for United Airlines, serving more than 30 million passengers annually. It is part of the largest airport system in the United States and the world in terms of total flight operations, alongside LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy (JFK) airports.
Best Airports to Land in Greece for Travelers
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airlines that use Newark as a hub
Newark Airport, officially known as Newark Liberty International Airport, is a bustling aviation hub, serving over 42 million passengers annually. It is one of three major airports serving the New York metropolitan area. The airport has three terminals, A, B, and C, each serving a variety of airlines and destinations. Terminal C is exclusively operated by United Airlines for its domestic and international flights, making it a significant hub for the carrier.
United Airlines, historically known as Continental Airlines before the 2010 merger, has a strong presence at Newark Airport. With its Global Gateway at Terminal C, United has completed expansion projects, including a new concourse and a Federal Inspection Services facility. During a 12-month period ending in March 2022, over 63% of all passengers at Newark Airport were carried by United Airlines, solidifying its dominance at this hub.
In addition to United Airlines, several other airlines utilise Newark as a hub. Terminal A hosts a diverse range of carriers, including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways. Terminal B offers a rich tapestry of airlines, featuring Air France, Air India, and Alaska Airlines. JetBlue Airways, the second busiest airline at Newark, operates from both Terminals A and B, providing international arrivals services.
Express mail carriers also consider Newark a crucial hub. FedEx, the second-largest tenant at the airport, operates from multiple buildings, including a dedicated cargo complex. UPS has established its presence at Newark with the construction of a new cargo building in 2019.
Over the years, Newark Airport has witnessed transformations, evolving from its military origins to a thriving commercial aviation hub. The airport has left its mark on aviation history, accommodating various airlines and connecting people worldwide.
Explore Austin Airport's Best Dining Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cargo facilities at Newark
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a major hub for United Airlines, which merged with Continental Airlines in 2010. United Airlines operates 70% of flights at Newark, serving about 63% of passengers. The airline has a designated cargo facility at the airport, which was constructed in 2001.
The cargo facility at 100 Frontage Road spans 165,000 sq ft and is a five-minute drive from the airline's other facility at 344 Brewster Road. EWR represents nearly 30% of United Cargo's global tonnage and revenue, and the airline has plans to fly more widebody aircraft at EWR.
FedEx also has a significant cargo presence at Newark, with a $60 million sort facility that includes Buildings 347, 156, and most of 155. Building 157 is another cargo building used by several tenants. UPS also has a cargo building at the airport, which was completed in 2019.
Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving 43.4 million passengers in 2022 and 49.1 million in 2023, making it the 13th busiest airport in the nation and 23rd busiest worldwide. The airport has faced challenges with congestion and delays due to radar outages, air traffic controller shortages, and runway construction.
Norfolk, Nebraska: Airport or No?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Delays and cancellations at Newark
Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving 43.4 million passengers in 2022 and 49.1 million in 2023. It is a major hub for United Airlines, which operates 70% of flights at the airport. However, in May 2025, the airport experienced significant delays and cancellations due to various factors.
On Monday, May 6, 2025, hundreds of flights into and out of Newark were delayed or canceled, causing major disruptions for passengers. These delays continued over several days, with further cancellations on Tuesday and some disruptions on Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attributed the delays to radar outages, air traffic controller shortages, and runway construction. Specifically, on April 28, air traffic controllers at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control, responsible for Newark's air traffic, experienced a communications blackout of 30 to 90 seconds. This incident highlighted the larger issue of a shortage of air traffic controllers, with only 22 certified controllers employed at Newark, well below the target of 38.
In response to the delays and cancellations, the FAA announced plans to reduce the number of hourly arrivals at Newark Liberty International Airport starting on May 28. They also implemented several measures to improve the situation, including adding three new high-bandwidth telecommunications connections between the New York station processing radar data and the Philadelphia location handling Newark's air traffic. These connections are expected to increase speed, reliability, and redundancy. Additionally, the FAA is upgrading the old copper telecommunications connections to fiber-optic technology, providing greater bandwidth and speed.
The FAA's decision to cut the number of arrivals is intended to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the remaining flights on the schedule. United Airlines supported this decision, acknowledging that reducing the number of scheduled flights at Newark would help improve the situation. The FAA is working to restore reliability at the airport and improve the nation's air traffic control system. These efforts include software and hardware upgrades, as well as addressing the underlying issues that caused the delays and cancellations.
While the measures implemented by the FAA are aimed at mitigating the immediate issues, it is important to recognize that Newark Airport has faced congestion and delays for years. The airport's busy nature, combined with infrastructure limitations, contributes to these challenges. To comprehensively address the issues, a combination of short-term solutions and long-term strategic planning may be necessary.
Munich Airport's Best Dining Destinations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Transport to and from Newark
Newark Liberty International Airport is located on the outskirts of Newark, New Jersey, and is accessible by various means of transportation. Here are some options for travelling to and from the airport:
By Public Transit
NJ Transit provides train services that connect the airport to nearby locations such as Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan, and Brooklyn. The train fare from Newark Penn Station to the airport is $11.95, and the estimated travel time is around an hour. Some trains on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line lines stop at the airport, so look for an airplane icon or "EWR" on the departure boards to ensure you're on the right train.
Additionally, the PATH train is another option for those travelling from Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn. You can take the PATH train to Newark Penn Station and then transfer to an NJ Transit bus or train. The PATH train fare is $3.
Once you arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport Station by train, you can transfer to the AirTrain, which is included in your NJ Transit ticket when travelling to and from the airport. The AirTrain fare is usually $8.50, but it's waived if you have an NJ Transit ticket.
By Shuttle
SuperShuttle provides private transportation options to and from the airport, including black cars, SUVs, and private vans. They offer upfront pricing, advanced reservations, and stress-free travel to your desired destination.
By Car
For those travelling by car, Newark Liberty International Airport is accessible via U.S. Route 1.
Newark Liberty International Airport is a major hub for United Airlines, serving about 63% of passengers. It has experienced delays and cancellations due to various factors, including radar outages, air traffic controller shortages, and runway construction.
Golfing at the Airport: Unique Courses Around the Globe
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Newark Liberty International Airport.
Newark is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving 43.4 million passengers in 2022, and 49.1 million in 2023.
Newark is a hub for United Airlines, FedEx Express, and UPS.
EWR.
