The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey last week 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 percent larger than the one it replaced, increased total air traveler volumes at Newark Liberty by 6 percent over the previous record high set in 2019 and approximately 12 percent 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.”
“Terminal A is an economic engine for the City of Elizabeth from increasing parking revenues to increasing hotel rooms and jobs for our residents,” said J. Christian Bollwage, mayor of Elizabeth, N.J. “Ancillary employment in hospitality, service industry and car rentals employ many from Elizabeth.”
“Since its opening, Terminal A has exceeded expectations in terms of passenger growth and operational excellence. The close cooperation with our partners, the airlines and the Port Authority, has made this possible,” said Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport. “I am proud that our Munich Airport International (MAI) and our Munich Airport NJ LLC (MANJ) teams contributed considerably to ensuring smooth operations and enhancing the passenger experience, which has received great feedback.”
“We want to thank the entire Terminal A community for a great first year of operations,” said Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC, the operator of Terminal A. “MANJ has enjoyed a front-row seat to the planning, construction, implementation of art and amenities, and the daily operations of this world-class facility. It has been a great honor to partner with the Port Authority, the airlines, and all the terminal stakeholders in creating an amazing experience for the 15 million passengers travelling through Terminal A last year, and we look forward to building on these successes and partnerships well into the future.”
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.
The terminal features an ever-growing slate of passenger-friendly amenities, such as a brand-new sensory room that offers travelers with disabilities and their families a calm space away from the bustle of the airport. The room has soft lighting, comfortable seating and a tactile-based activity area, all designed in consultation with the Anderson Center for Autism. Travelers with special needs can be accommodated in the space through a partnership with the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Cares program to assist people who would benefit from extra help navigating security checkpoints. A second sensory room past airport security is currently under construction.
Terminal A offers several family-friendly features, including a children’s lending library and a play area with a track and ropes course. The terminal also features 12 family and four nursing suites, as well as an outdoor pet relief area and indoor Service Animal Relief Areas (SARAs). More amenities are forthcoming, including a multifaith space where travelers can spend time in contemplation or prayer; a business center, and an accessibility room with an adult changing table. American Express is building a 17,000-square-foot Centurion Lounge that will open in 2026.
Outside of Terminal A, rental car operations are streamlined with a new consolidated rent-a-car (ConRAC) facility co-located within the Parking A garage. The new facility, which opened in November, houses all of the airport’s rental car companies and includes 54 fueling stations and 12 car washes, along with vacuum systems, waste management and service bays.
“Congratulations to the Port Authority, the rental car industry, our funding partners Related Fund Management and Fengate Asset Management and project team Austin VRH and PGAL on bringing the consolidated rental car facility at Newark Liberty International Airport to fruition,” said Michael Minerva, CEO of Conrac Solutions. “We are excited to have been part of delivering this customer service enhancement with no use of taxpayer dollars and contributing to the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport.”
The building that houses the terminal’s new parking facility and consolidated rental car center is powered by a 5-megawatt (MW) solar rooftop, the largest single solar rooftop project at any U.S. airport. The parking garage features more than 150 electric vehicle chargers and over 2,700 public parking spaces.
