Newark Liberty’s Terminal A Serves 15M Passengers in First Year

On Jan 12, 2024

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Friday celebrated the first year of passenger service at Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A as the new terminal served 15 million passengers during its first year, which was 5 million more travelers handled any year by the 50-year-old outmoded terminal it replaced.

The new terminal moved more than a million passengers above initial projections, boosting total passenger volumes at Newark Liberty to an all-time record high of 49.1 million in 2023. More than 113,000 flights arrived or departed from the terminal in its first year, with 6.4 million bags processed. The terminal so far has created 2,500 direct jobs, with an economic impact of $4.6 billion across the region.

The new terminal, which is 20% larger than the one it replaced, increased total air traveler volumes at Newark Liberty by 6% over the previous record high set in 2019 and approximately 12% over total passenger levels in 2022. Designed as a common-use terminal, the new terminal’s 33 gates are utilized by multiple carriers to increase flexibility, efficiency and optimize operations.

Since its opening in January 2023, the terminal has collected prestigious awards and recognitions. In December, Terminal A was awarded a 2023 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Prix Versailles Special Prize for the terminal’s exterior, reflecting the building’s distinctive architecture that emphasizes spaciousness, functionality and abundant natural light. Terminal A also was named as one of three finalists for “Best New Terminal in the World” as part of Skytrax’s World Airport Awards, which are widely regarded as a quality benchmark for the global aviation industry. Additionally, the terminal received LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the most widely used green-building rating system in the world and an international symbol of environmental responsibility. Terminal A was also named the 2023 Project of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in New Jersey.

“Beyond its distinguished architecture, operational efficiency and top-tier customer amenities, we’re gratified to see that one year in, Terminal A has also given New Jersey an economic shot in the arm,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This terminal supports thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity, and most importantly, it gives New Jersey a world-class gateway it can proudly show off to the world.”

“The first year of Newark’s Terminal A has been a resounding success almost beyond our wildest expectations, shattering passenger volume records and collecting an eye-popping array of awards and recognitions, as LaGuardia has done before it,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This new terminal reflects our agency’s high standards for best-in-class design and customer experience as we continue our historic $30 billion airport redevelopment work across New Jersey and New York.”

The 1 million-square-foot Terminal A opened in phases throughout 2023 as airport operations migrated from the 40-year-old former Terminal A. The facility features state-of-the-art passenger amenities, local artwork, children’s play space, digital technology and dozens of local dining and retail options. The $2.7 billion project represented both the Port Authority’s largest ever single investment in New Jersey and the state’s largest design-build project. The new terminal became fully operational in September with all 33 gates in use when Delta Air Lines added their five gates, joining Air Canada, American Airlines, United Airlines and JetBlue.

For customers, the new Terminal A offers a distinctive sense of place by showcasing an innovative public art program of 29 local artists with exhibits that place New Jersey culture front and center. The terminal’s Jersey-centric vibe extends to the terminal’s dining and retail options, with a total of 54 establishments that include six locally owned and operated concessionaires from Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City.

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