
The airport code for Newark Liberty International Airport is EWR. The airport, located in Newark, New Jersey, is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. When airport codes switched from two letters to three, the Navy reserved all codes starting with N. As a result, the airport code for Newark Airport is EWR, with the letters coming from the other letters in its name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Newark Liberty International Airport |
| IATA Code | EWR |
| ICAO Code | KEWR |
| FAA LID | EWR |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey |
| Owner | Cities of Newark and Elizabeth |
| Operator | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
| Ranking in New York Airport System | Second busiest |
| Ranking in 2022 | 13th busiest in the nation, 23rd busiest in the world |
| Busiest Year | 2023, with 49.1 million passengers |
| Number of Carriers | 50 |
| Major Tenant | United Airlines |
| Number of Buildings Used by Major Tenant | 3 |
| Area of Buildings Used by Major Tenant | 2 million square feet (0.19 km2) |
| Year of Opening | 1928 |
| Former Names | Newark Metropolitan Airport, Newark International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport code EWR is used because 'NEW' was already assigned to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans
- The Department of the Navy reserves three-letter identifiers beginning with N
- EWR is the airport code for Newark Liberty International Airport
- EWR is one of the busiest airports in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas
- EWR Vision is a development plan for Newark Airport that will run through 2065

The airport code EWR is used because 'NEW' was already assigned to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issues airport codes to help distinguish one airport from another. When airport codes switched from two letters to three, the Navy reserved all codes starting with the letter 'N'. As a result, Newark Liberty International Airport, which is located in Newark, New Jersey, and serves the New York metropolitan area, was assigned the code 'EWR' instead of a designation that begins with 'N'. This is because the designator 'NEW' was already assigned to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lakefront Airport, located five miles (8 kilometres) northeast of downtown New Orleans, is a public airport that continues to operate charter, private, and occasional military flights. It first opened in 1934 as Shushan Airport, named after Abraham Shushan, the president of the Orleans Levee Board. The airport was renamed in 1939 after Shushan's involvement in the Louisiana Scandals tarnished his name. However, the airport code 'NEW' was retained despite the name change.
Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport and the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system. In 2022, the airport served 43.4 million passengers, making it the 13th busiest airport in the United States and the 23rd busiest worldwide. The airport is jointly owned by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey and is leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. United Airlines is the largest tenant at the airport, serving about 63% of passengers.
Newark Airport has a unique airport code of 'EWR', derived from the letters in its name other than 'N'. This code helps to distinguish it from other airports with similar names, such as Liberty National Airport, which is also located in Newark, New Jersey.
The use of distinct airport codes is essential for efficient air traffic control, baggage handling, and destination identification for passengers and cargo. While the codes may sometimes seem arbitrary or cryptic, they serve a practical purpose in ensuring accurate communication and coordination within the aviation industry.
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The Department of the Navy reserves three-letter identifiers beginning with N
The International Airport Association issues airport codes to distinguish one airport from another. When airport codes switched from two letters to three, the Department of the Navy reserved all codes starting with the letter 'N'. This is because 'N' is the first letter in Navy aircraft designation. As a result, Newark Airport's code is EWR, rather than a designation that begins with 'N'. The designator 'NEW' was also already assigned to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans.
The Federal Aviation Administration location identifier (FAA LID) is a three- to five-character alphanumeric code used to identify aviation-related facilities inside the United States. The FAA has the authority to assign all three-letter identifiers except those beginning with the letters K, N, W, and Y. The first letter of the code usually indicates the region. For example, 'K' is used for airports in the contiguous United States, 'C' for Canada, 'E' for northern Europe, 'R' for the Asian Far East, and 'Y' for Australia.
The International Civil Aviation Organization establishes four-letter location indicators, which are used by air traffic control agencies and weather agencies for METAR weather reports. Transport Canada assigns two-, three-, and four-character identifiers, including three-letter identifiers beginning with Y and Z, for its areas of jurisdiction. The Federal Civil Aviation Agency of Mexico (Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil, AFAC) assigns three-letter codes to identify each civil airfield in Mexico. These characters are chosen with the same methodology as for IATA codes, i.e. taking three letters of the airfield name, for example, ZPU for Zacapu Airstrip.
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EWR is the airport code for Newark Liberty International Airport
The airport's code, EWR, is a result of the switch from two-letter to three-letter airport codes. When this change occurred, the Navy reserved all codes starting with the letter "N". As the designator "NEW" was already assigned to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, and the Department of the Navy uses three-letter identifiers beginning with "N" for its purposes, Newark Airport was assigned the code EWR instead.
The "EWR" airport code is derived from the letters in the name "Newark". While it may seem unusual, airport codes are often based on unique aspects of each airport, and they are issued by the International Airport Association to help distinguish one airport from another.
Newark Liberty International Airport has a rich history, dating back to its opening on October 1, 1928, as Newark Metropolitan Airport, making it the first major airport in the United States. The name was changed to Newark International Airport in 1970 and later to Newark Liberty International Airport in 2002.
Today, the airport serves as a hub for United Airlines, offering connections to various destinations worldwide. It is known for its colour-coded signage, designed by Paul Mijksenaar, and the voice of former New York City traffic reporter Bernie Wagenblast, who provides announcements throughout the airport.
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EWR is one of the busiest airports in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas
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 located 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 cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
Newark Airport is one of the busiest airports in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas. In 2022, the airport served 43.4 million passengers, making it the 13th busiest airport in the United States and the 23rd busiest in the world. The following year, in 2023, the airport experienced its busiest year to date, serving 49.1 million passengers.
Newark Airport is part of the largest airport system in the United States, which includes JFK Airport and LaGuardia Airport. This system is the second largest in the world in terms of passenger traffic and the largest in terms of total flight operations. Newark Airport is the second busiest airport in this system, behind JFK International Airport and ahead of LaGuardia Airport.
The airport is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. It serves 50 carriers and is the largest hub for United Airlines, which serves about 63% of passengers at EWR. The airline, along with FedEx Express, operates in three buildings covering approximately 2 million square feet (0.19 sq km) of airport property.
Newark Airport is easily accessible from New York City and other nearby areas. The Airport Express is one of the most popular bus routes to get to Manhattan, and there are several other public transportation bus routes as well. Taxis, limousines, and car services are also available, with fares to and from New York City set by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. The AirTrain is a free rail system that connects the airport terminals with the train station and other facilities such as parking and car rental locations.
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EWR Vision is a development plan for Newark Airport that will run through 2065
The EWR code for Newark Liberty International Airport is used because the designator "NEW" was already assigned to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans when airport codes switched from two letters to three, and the Navy reserved all codes starting with N.
EWR Vision
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has developed a Vision Plan to transform Newark Liberty International Airport into a world-class facility that sets a global standard. The plan has a multi-phase approach for short, medium, and long-term development through 2065.
The Vision Plan emphasizes EWR's importance as the primary international gateway for New Jersey. It aims to meet the growing needs of passengers, airlines, and the surrounding communities, while addressing congestion, outdated facilities, and the demand for sustainable operations.
The plan includes the completion of the new Terminal A, which opened in 2023, and the ongoing replacement of the EWR AirTrain, expected to be completed in 2029. The Newark Station Access Project is also part of the plan, along with creating a phase-by-phase roadmap that will not affect airport operations while expanding to accommodate expected passenger and cargo growth.
The Port Authority selected Arup, a leading aviation planning and design firm, to partner with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, a leading architecture firm, to guide the next phase of Newark Airport's redevelopment through 2065. This includes overseeing architectural, planning, engineering, and business development services, while factoring in the short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on airport travel volumes and customer demands.
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Frequently asked questions
When airport codes switched from two letters to three, the Navy reserved all codes starting with N. As a result, the designator "NEW" was already assigned to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans.
Newark Liberty International Airport.
The airport first opened on 1 October 1928 as Newark Metropolitan Airport, making it the first major airport in the US.











































