Port Authority Prepared to Handle Record Passenger Travel

A record of more than 20 million people expected to use agency’s airports, tunnels, bridges and PATH system

On Dec 20, 2019

A record of more than 20 million travelers are projected to use the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s airports, tunnels, bridges and PATH system during the upcoming 16-day Christmas/New Year’s holiday season. To accommodate the projected heavy volume, the agency has put measures in place, including a full complement of staff – customer service representatives at its major airports and police officers at all facilities and toll collectors at its tunnels and bridges – to make the holiday trip as smooth as possible.

Airports

During the holiday period – from Tuesday, Dec. 17, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020 – a record 6 million passengers will travel through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and New York Stewart International airports.  Due to the record volume of air travel, the agency is encouraging travelers to allow extra time to get to the airports and to check with carriers for flight status prior to arriving. The agency also encourages the use of mass transit to get to the airports, including AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark, given limited parking availability.

About 2.7 million travelers are forecast to use John F. Kennedy International Airport, approximately 2 million will travel through Newark Liberty International Airport, approximately 1.3 million will fly out of LaGuardia Airport and approximately 17,000 passengers will use New York Stewart International Airport.

In addition to a full complement of customer service representatives, the Port Authority will assist air travelers at its Airport Welcome Centers, which are located on the arrivals level of every terminal and provide information about ground transportation, hotels and other useful travel tips. Airport customers can also find helpful features on the agency’s website at www.panynj.gov/airports, where they can check flight status and other airport related services.

At LaGuardia Airport, the Port Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are now offering free LaGuardia Link Q70 buses through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. The service is designed to encourage travelers to use mass transit to and from the airport during the holiday period.

The Port Authority offers AirTrain service to both JFK and Newark Liberty airports. AirTrain JFK connects to New York City mass transit via stations at Jamaica and Howard Beach. AirTrain Newark connects to the Newark Airport rail station on the Northeast Corridor Line, which is served by Amtrak and NJ Transit trains.

Real-Time Info for Air Travelers on Mobile-Friendly Websites

The agency also offers airport mobile-friendly websites for travelers to get real-time information on the following:

• Parking Availability (including pre-booking, which is strongly recommended)
• Security Wait Times for All Checkpoints
• Taxi Wait Times
• Walk Times to Gates
• Flight Tracker

Passengers should visit the following sites for airport-specific information:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (www.jfkairport.com)
• LaGuardia Airport (www.lgairport.com)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (www.newarkairport)
• New York Stewart Airport (www.swfny.com)

Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals

Approximately 11.2 million vehicles are forecast to use Port Authority bridges and tunnels during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday period. The agency will cancel all non-emergency construction for the George Washington Bridge, the Holland and Lincoln tunnels and the Staten Island crossings beginning at 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, through 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. For more information on the agency’s tunnels and bridges, call the “Customer Connection” line at 800-221-9903 or visit www.panynj.gov.

At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the agency expects passenger traffic to be heavier than usual, and customers are urged to allow extra travel time and to purchase bus tickets in advance, and download the MyTerminal app for schedules, alerts and more. http://www.panynj.gov/mobile-apps.html#MyTerminal.

PATH

Approximately 3.1 million passengers are forecast to use the PATH rail system during the holiday period. On Christmas Eve, PATH will operate on a regular weekday schedule. On Christmas Day, PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule. On New Year’s Eve, PATH will operate on a regular weekday schedule, but additional service will be provided on the Newark to World Trade Center and Journal Square to 33rd Street via Hoboken line during the late evening and overnight hours to accommodate New Year’s revelers. On New Year’s Day, PATH will operate on a Sunday schedule. Download the RidePATH app for schedules, trip-planning and alerts. http://www.panynj.gov/mobile-apps.html#RidePATH.

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