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PORT AUTHORITY AWARDS $1.184 BILLION DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACT FOR NEW ELEVATED RAIL STRUCTURE AND 3 NEW STATIONS TO REPLACE EXISTING OUTMODED AIRTRAIN NEWARK SYSTEM
November 14, 2024
Agency’s Project to Replace AirTrain Newark Moves Forward with Latest Contract Award for New System’s Guideway and New Stations as Project’s Procurement Phases Reach 80 Percent Awarded
Contract to Joint-Venture Firm of Tutor Perini/O&G Includes Agency-Mandated Goals Around Hiring Local, Minority, Women and Veteran Contractors
New AirTrain Newark System is Part of Recently Announced Vision Plan for Reimagined and Modern Newark Liberty International Airport
New AirTrain Newark Renderings are Available Here and Renderings from EWR Vision Plan are Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced it has selected the joint-venture firm of Tutor Perini/O&G to design and build a new 2.5-mile elevated rail structure and three new stations to replace its existing AirTrain Newark on-airport mass transit system. The agency has now completed 80 percent of the procurement process needed to deliver a new modern, reliable automated people mover train system with this latest contract award in the agency’s multi-phase procurement process to replace the current outmoded AirTrain system at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
The agency’s Board of commissioners voted today to award the $1.184 billion design-build contract to Tutor Perini/O&G for the design and construction of the new 2.5-mile elevated rail structure, known as the guideway, and three new stations for the new AirTrain system that will align with the ongoing redevelopment of Newark Liberty. The existing AirTrain Newark opened for service in 1996 and has become outdated and unable to accommodate growing air travel demand at the airport, where the Port Authority opened a new and much larger Terminal A in 2023 to replace the previous 50-year-old terminal.
The agency recently announced details of its EWR Vision Plan, aimed at accommodating increasing demand and evolving changes in the air travel industry, as well as enhancing the overall passenger experience. Under the agency’s guidance and in line with the world-class standards set by the new award-winning Terminal A, the entire Newark Liberty will be reimagined with modern terminals and infrastructure, a more intuitive roadway network, and a redesigned taxiway network to accommodate more aircraft and reduce delays.
“Today’s action by the Board marks the next chapter in the effort to completely transform Newark Liberty International Airport into a world-class gateway worthy of our region,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As we work on a modern new airport in Newark that will include new or expanded airport facilities, a reliable on-airport mass transit system will ensure that passengers and airport workers can get to where they need to go on a new state-of-the-art AirTrain system.”
“Our major airports are the front doors of this region for the rest of the world and ensuring easy, reliable public transit to and from the airport is critical,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “As we embark on the Newark vision plan, a new AirTrain is essential to both meeting increasing volumes at our airports and delivering a world-class passenger experience for Newark Liberty passengers.”
The agency is delivering the new AirTrain Newark system through a multi-phase procurement process, separated into procurement phases for the building, manufacturing, delivery and installation of the system technology; early works; guideway and stations; a maintenance and control facility for the system equipment; pedestrian connections between new stations and existing airport facilities; and for the demolition of the existing AirTrain. In December 2023 after a rigorous review process, the Port Authority selected Doppelmayr, a market leader in cable-propelled transport systems, for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the automated people mover system and its vehicles. In summer 2024, engineering firm Stantec was selected to design the new maintenance and control facility and the pedestrian connectors, and to decommission the existing AirTrain.
Tutor Perini/O&G consists of Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC) and O&G Industries Inc. (O&G), which together will be the lead contractor for the project and will work as a joint venture with joint and several liabilities. The joint-venture firm has worked together on 11 large infrastructure projects nationwide, such as transportation projects for the Los Angeles Metro, the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles International Airport and the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Separately, Tutor Perini Corporation is one of the nation’s largest full service general contractors with a significant portfolio of transit projects and highway, bridge and tunnel projects, including history working on Port Authority projects such as the Jamaica terminal on AirTrain JFK and the World Trade Center campus. O&G Industries Inc. (O&G) is a privately owned company in Torrington, Conn., and is one of the Northeast’s leading providers of construction services and materials with experience on airport projects such as Bradley International Airport’s Terminal A and air traffic control tower in Connecticut.
As with all Port Authority capital projects, its contractors are mandated to create equitable economic opportunities. Tutor Perini/O&G has committed to making good-faith efforts to meet specific benchmarks around the hiring of minority-owned business enterprises, women-owned business enterprises, service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises, and locally owned business enterprises, with those from the cities of Newark and Elizabeth prioritized. The firm is also required to develop a locally based workforce development program to hire program participants for future work on the new system’s design and construction.
Of the remaining procurement phases that have yet to be completed, the agency expects to award smaller packages related to the construction of the new AirTrain’s maintenance and control facility and the pedestrian connectors, and to decommission the current system. Construction is expected to begin on the new AirTrain Newark system in 2025, with passenger service expected in 2030.
AirTrain Newark serves as the primary travel option for millions of Newark Liberty passengers to transfer between three airport terminals, parking and rental car facilities, and regional rail transit via the Newark Airport Rail Link station, which connects to NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak rail service on the Northeast Corridor line. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the AirTrain carried an average of 33,000 passengers per day, or approximately 12 million passengers per year. Year to date, AirTrain Newark served nearly 5.5 million passengers in 2024, with the vast majority using the system on-airport to transfer among airport facilities.
To deliver the AirTrain Newark project, the Port Authority Board also voted to increase the project budget to $3.5 billion, adding $1.45 billion to the previously approved amount of $2.05 billion. The agency attributed the rise in cost to the following factors:
- Five-year delay due to COVID-19 pandemic pause and start from scratch re-procurement of all elements in the program;
- Historic spike in inflation during the pause period
- Even higher inflation in the construction marketplace due to supply chain issues and instability in cost for materials;
- Extra sharp risk premiums assigned to mega projects
The agency’s contracting strategy of using a multi-phased procurement process avoided more than $1 billion in additional costs had the agency awarded the contract as a single procurement request to design, build, operate and maintain the entire AirTrain system. The agency reevaluated the estimated cost for the AirTrain project to better reflect the realities of current market conditions, high levels of economy-wide inflation and their related impact on certain construction materials and labor, and the construction industry’s reluctance to take on mega infrastructure projects in the current economic climate. The project’s initial costs had been made and authorized by the Board prior to the pandemic in October 2019.
The updated budget will be offset by deferred spending from the PATH rail extension project, as well as other cost-saving measures such as value engineering, reduced project scope and other deferred or reduced spending on other projects in the agency’s 2017-2026 Capital Plan.
In addition to the AirTrain Newark replacement project, the Port Authority in 2023 announced plans to improve local community access for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth at the Newark Airport Rail Link station, which connects AirTrain Newark to the airport and also NJ TRANSIT rail and Amtrak services on the Northeast Corridor line. The EWR Station Access Project was engineered to deliver many of the community benefits of a PATH rail extension to the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station faster and at a significantly reduced cost. With the EWR Station Access project capable of delivering the PATH rail extension’s goals for local community access to New York City and the airport, as well as the funding shortfall for the project, the PATH rail extension was deferred in 2023 to a future capital plan.
Redeveloping Newark Liberty International Airport
The Port Authority is in the midst of a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport that began with the 2023 opening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The airport’s redevelopment is outlined in the agency’s EWR Vision plan to accommodate future growth and deliver a world-class air travel experience from curb to gate. The Port Authority expects to begin a two- to three-year planning process in 2025 for major elements of the airport redevelopment, such as:
- Terminal development: A new, world-class international terminal to replace the current Terminal B, while enhancing Terminal C to improve the customer experience. Both would complement the airport’s award-winning new Terminal A that opened in January 2023, which could also see further expansion. The spacious, streamlined terminals would allow the airport to accommodate continued growth in passenger volume, while leaving space for further expansion as needed.
- Airside development: Improving airport operations with a more efficient and resilient taxiway network, while accommodating the industry trend toward larger aircraft. The new network would increase parking capacity and flexibility for aircraft, while creating redundancies to minimize delays during irregular operations. It incorporates additional deicing facilities, allowing aircraft to push off from gates more quickly. It would also include the industry’s latest safety standards, increasing straight taxiway segments and minimizing the need for crossings.
- Landside development: Transformation of the airport’s vehicular and multi-modal access, prioritizing efficiency and convenience for all users. Alongside terminal buildings, frontages would be expanded to meet industry standards, providing ample space for passenger waiting, loading and unloading while minimizing walking distances. AirTrain access would be simplified, while connectivity and amenities for cyclists, pedestrians, and service vehicles would be improved. The roadway network would also be streamlined to reduce decision points and separate major flows with independent circulation for each terminal.
Visit EWRredevelopment.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement Program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
PORT AUTHORITY UNVEILS PLAN TO REIMAGINE NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AS WORLD-CLASS GATEWAY, CHARTING COURSE FOR ADDITIONAL MODERN TERMINALS, STREAMLINED ROADWAY AND MORE EFFICIENT RUNWAYS
October 17, 2024
Vision Plan Calls for New Terminal B to Complement Award-Winning New Terminal A
Recommends Overhauling Outdated Roadway Network and Redesigning Delay-Prone Aircraft Taxiway Network to Maximize Efficiency
Plan Enables Newark Liberty to Accommodate Continued Passenger Growth in Coming Decades, with Record 49 Million Passengers in 2023
Current Airport Photos and Vision Plan Renderings Available Here, Event Video Available Here, Event Photos Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced the unveiling of the EWR Vision Plan, a wide-ranging blueprint setting the course for the Newark Liberty International Airport’s continued development over the coming decades to accommodate passenger growth with modern, world-class terminals on par with the Port Authority’s lauded reconstruction of LaGuardia Airport, its historic $19 billion transformation at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty’s award-winning new Terminal A.
The EWR Vision Plan was developed in partnership with design firm Arup and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It charts a comprehensive reimagining of the airport, complete with modern terminals and infrastructure, a more intuitive roadway network, and a redesigned taxiway network to accommodate more aircraft and reduce delays. The blueprint enables the airport to handle future growth, while serving the evolving needs of passengers, airlines, and the surrounding community. It was developed following extensive outreach to airport tenants, operational partners, and the public.
“Newark Liberty Airport serves as the gateway for millions of passengers, offering them their first welcome to the great state of New Jersey,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The EWR Vision plan will solidify Newark Liberty’s status as a premier regional and international transportation hub. This transformation will not only enhance passenger service but also strengthen the airport’s role as a key economic driver for New Jersey and the surrounding region.”
“A modern, efficient, world-class Newark Liberty Airport is more than just a dream. We now have an actionable path forward thanks to this comprehensive vision plan,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As the blueprint shows, we’re ready to take a top-to-bottom look at everything from terminals to roadways to taxiways as we build EWR into a best-in-class global gateway and position it to continue serving as a vital economic engine for New Jersey and the region.”
“Newark’s Terminal A is an extraordinary terminal built for modern air travel, and we are thrilled to release the EWR Vision Plan, which lays out a blueprint to transform the airport to accommodate future growth and provide a 21st century travel experience at all of Newark Liberty’s facilities,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We’re fortunate to build on many prior successes and lessons learned from the redevelopment of our other two major airports as we embark on this comprehensive reimagining of Newark Airport, prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and the modern, streamlined experience our customers expect.”
“The Vision Plan provides a roadmap to reimagine Newark Liberty International Airport as a world-class facility,” said Jacquelene McCarthy, Port Authority director of aviation redevelopment. “Our goal is to enhance passenger experiences, improve operational efficiency, and ensure that the airport reflects the culture and diversity of New Jersey.”
“Newark Liberty Airport is New Jersey’s front door to the world,” said U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (New Jersey). “This forward-thinking Vision Plan ensures it will be a world-class hub for global trade, tourism, and business for generations to come, while continuing to drive economic growth and jobs for New Jersey residents and the entire region. Along with modernizing and enhancing the customer experience from curb to gate, the plan also advances the Port Authority’s commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, making it a huge win on all fronts.”
“With this exciting vision for Newark Liberty International Airport, we’re charting a path forward that prioritizes efficiency and safety and modernizes New Jersey’s premier airport,” said U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (New Jersey). “As we bring this project to life, I’m committed to doing whatever I can in Congress and on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to make it a success. Together with our partners, we’ll build a Newark Airport that we can all be proud of.”
“The Vision Plan builds on the goal to revitalize all aspects of the Newark Liberty International Airport, establishing it as a global gateway and economic driver for New Jersey. This plan aims to elevate the airport to world-renowned status, prioritizing the passenger experience, airport operations, and greater access and opportunities for the state,” said New Jersey State Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “By improving train accessibility for underserved neighborhoods and integrating local businesses into terminal upgrades, we are committed to ensuring that these enhancements are equitable and reflect the vibrant culture of our community. This is just one piece of our region’s continued transportation infrastructure transformation, and I thank the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for their efforts to position EWR as a dynamic and reliable international travel hub.”
“As a local resident and proud representative of Elizabeth, I’m excited about the reimagining of Newark Liberty International Airport and the positive impact it will have on our community,” said New Jersey State Assemblymember Annette Quijano. “This vision plan not only elevates the airport’s standing as a world-class gateway but also strengthens our local economy by creating job opportunities and improving transportation access for residents. The focus on sustainability and efficiency ensures that we are building for the future while honoring the needs of our neighborhoods.”
“I want to commend the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, led by Chairman Kevin O’Toole and Executive Director Rick Cotton, on the EWR Vision Plan,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. “The recent opening of the new Terminal A gave us a look into the future of what Newark Liberty International Airport can become and the EWR Vision Plan provides us with a thoughtful and comprehensive roadmap on how to get there.”
The EWR Vision Plan represents a comprehensive blueprint for the future of the 96-year-old airport. Much of its current infrastructure dates to the 1970s, when terminals B and C and the original Terminal A were built. Today, the airport’s legacy infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of modern air travel. This is especially true as the airport’s passenger volume grows. A record 49 million passengers passed through the airport in 2023. Major recurring issues, including insufficient terminal capacity, congested roadways, and airside delays often lead to inefficient operations and a subpar passenger experience.
Through the vision plan, the Port Authority aimed to accommodate future growth while delivering a world-class experience from curb to gate. The vision plan pursues a phased approach, minimizing the impact on airport operations while fostering new business opportunities for the local community. The enhancements would also provide new opportunities for the Port Authority to advance the agency’s industry-leading sustainability efforts, furthering its commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while assisting its operational partners in achieving the same goal.
The plan aimed to build on the success of the airport’s new Terminal A, the recipient of several industry accolades including its recognition as the best new airport terminal in the world by the preeminent global airport evaluation firm Skytrax. The plan also incorporates ongoing modernization projects at the airport, including the replacement of the airport’s AirTrain system with a state-of-the-art automated system and a new access point to the Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station for underserved neighborhoods in the cities of Newark and Elizabeth.
Major elements of the EWR Vision Plan include:
- Terminal development: Modern, engaging, and comfortable terminals that reflect their communities are at the heart of the EWR Vision Plan. The plan calls for building a new, world-class international terminal to replace the current Terminal B, while enhancing Terminal C to improve the customer experience. Both would complement the airport’s award-winning new Terminal A that opened in January 2023, which could also see further expansion. The spacious, streamlined terminals would allow the airport to accommodate continued growth in passenger volume, while leaving space for further expansion as needed.
- Airside development: The plan envisions improving the airport’s operations with a more efficient and resilient taxiway network, while accommodating the industry trend toward larger aircraft. The new network would increase parking capacity and flexibility for aircraft, while creating redundancies to minimize delays during irregular operations. It incorporates additional deicing facilities, allowing aircraft to push off from gates more quickly. It would also include the industry’s latest safety standards, increasing straight taxiway segments and minimizing the need for crossings.
- Landside development: The blueprint looks to transform the airport’s vehicular and multi-modal access, prioritizing efficiency and convenience for all users. Alongside terminal buildings, frontages would be expanded to meet industry standards, providing ample space for passenger waiting, loading and unloading while minimizing walking distances. AirTrain access would be simplified, while connectivity and amenities for cyclists, pedestrians, and service vehicles would be improved. The roadway network would also be streamlined to reduce decision points and separate major flows with independent circulation for each terminal.
The Port Authority expects to begin a two- to three-year planning process in 2025 for major elements of the redevelopment, including cost projections and project delivery alternatives.
About Port Authority airport redevelopments
In 2015, a comprehensive plan to construct a whole new LaGuardia Airport was unveiled with the goal of creating a world-class, 21st century passenger experience featuring modern customer amenities, state-of-the-art architecture, more spacious gate areas and a unified terminal system. The $8 billion project broke ground in 2016 and was substantially completed in 2022.
In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform JFK into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve. The vision plan provides a strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The $9.5 billion development of a state-of-the-art New Terminal One that will anchor the airport’s south side broke ground in September 2022. A new $4.2 billion Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on the airport’s north side, broke ground in February 2023. The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT), is substantially complete. Additionally, the $400 million expansion of Terminal 8, led by American Airlines, which operates the terminal, was completed in November 2022. All of the privately financed terminal projects combined with the Port Authority’s roadway, parking and infrastructure projects represent a $19 billion transformation of JFK and an extraordinary series of public-private partnerships.
ICYMI: NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW TERMINAL A WINS AWARD FOR BEST NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL IN THE WORLD FROM PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL AIRPORT EVALUATION FIRM SKYTRAX
April 22, 2024
Port Authority Officials Celebrated World-Class Honor Based on Passenger Surveys as Well as Terminal A’s Five-Star Skytrax Rating Based on Audit of Terminal Facilities and Services
Newark Liberty is Port Authority’s Second Airport in Two Years to Receive Skytrax’s Most Prestigious Honors for New Airport Terminals; LaGuardia’s Terminal B Recognized in 2023 as Skytrax’s Best New Airport Terminal in the World
Photos from Today’s Event and Skytrax Award Ceremony are Available Here; Video from Today’s Event will be Available Here
Photos of the Award-Winning New Terminal A are Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today celebrated the recognition of Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A as the world’s best new airport terminal by the preeminent global airport evaluation firm Skytrax. The prestigious international industry honor comes a month after Skytrax gave Terminal A its highest rating, five stars, following a detailed audit of the terminal’s facilities, operations and customer service in 2023.
The Skytrax honor is considered a global benchmark of airport facility excellence, following the results of comprehensive surveys taken between August 2023 and March 2024 from passengers worldwide that evaluated traveler experiences regarding airport facilities, staff service and customer experience ranging from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration through departure at the gate. Newark Liberty is the second Port Authority airport in just two years to receive Skytrax’s highest honor for airport terminals: LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B was named the world’s best airport terminal in 2023 and was also rated five stars by Skytrax.
Newark Liberty’s latest Skytrax honor was announced at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards held last week at the Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference in Frankfurt, Germany, which was attended by Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole; James Heitmann, the agency’s chief operating officer; Jacquelene McCarthy, the agency’s director of aviation redevelopment; and Frank Radics, the Port Authority’s aviation operational standards and compliance general manager. The annual ceremony is known within the international aviation industry as the industry’s equivalent of filmmaking’s Academy Awards.
“This is a tremendously well-deserved honor for the flagship of the Port Authority’s ongoing renaissance at Newark Liberty International Airport,” said N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy. “It’s no surprise that the industry’s leader has bestowed one of its highest honors on this facility. From the distinctly Jersey aesthetic to the first-rate amenities and home-grown attractions, Terminal A is a point of pride for the Garden State that the whole world now gets to enjoy.”
“We believe strongly that our region deserves nothing but the best, and Newark Liberty has delivered the best new facility in the world for the state of New Jersey,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As a native New Jerseyan, I am incredibly proud that passengers selected Terminal A for this global recognition, and I was honored to join the distinguished Port Authority team who accepted Newark Liberty’s award for the world’s best new airport terminal from Skytrax last week in Germany.”
“From Newark to LaGuardia, and from worst to best, our $30 billion redevelopment of the New York-New Jersey area’s major airports has truly transformed air travel for the millions of people who use our airports,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Our work at the airports reflects best-in-class standards, and we are extremely gratified by the international aviation industry’s recognition that this region is home to two of the world’s best new airport terminals.”
“It’s a tremendous honor to see this prestigious award for best new airport terminal in the world go to Newark Liberty’s spectacular new Terminal A,” said Elizabeth Mayor and Port Authority Commissioner J. Christian Bollwage. “This international recognition means the world to this region, to New Jersey, and to communities like the city of Elizabeth that contribute to the airport every single day.”
The $2.7 billion Terminal A represented both the Port Authority’s largest single investment in New Jersey and the state’s largest design-build project. The terminal opened in phases throughout 2023 as operations migrated from the 50-year-old former Terminal A. Within its first year of service, the terminal served 15 million passengers, greatly outperforming yearly passenger totals from the previous Terminal A.
The new 1 million-square-foot Terminal A features state-of-the-art passenger amenities, local artwork, a children’s play space, digital technology and dozens of local and national dining and retail options. Other unique passenger amenities include a sensory room that offers neurodivergent travelers and their families a calm space away from the bustle of the airport, and a children’s lending library curated by a local fifth grader.
“Proud to see the Port of Authority of New York and New Jersey set a new standard with the new best-in-class Terminal A,” said U.S. Rep. Robert J. Menendez of New Jersey. “This transformation elevates the travel experience for millions of travelers and is a testament to our region’s commitment to innovation and progress, as well as to our local artists and business owners who are an integral part of this incredible facility.”
“This is a proud honor for the Port Authority and the state of New Jersey that showcases the fact that Newark Liberty International Airport is a world-class facility that serves the transportation needs of the entire region,” said New Jersey State Senate President Nick Scutari. “The modernization of Terminal A is part of a vision that makes use of a meaningful investment in the largest design-build project in New Jersey. This state-of-the-art facility contributes to our economy and provides a quality experience for passengers.”
“Thanks to the dedication and ambition of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, passengers and aviation industry leaders agree that the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport is a top-rated, world-renowned facility,” said New Jersey State Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “Part of this success is from the inclusion of local vendors and art in Terminal A, which celebrates Newark and New Jersey and gives visitors a taste of our unique culture. I am thrilled to see this honor bestowed upon my district’s airport and look forward to the continued transformation of our region’s transportation infrastructure so that we can deliver more high-quality travel experiences that represent all of what New Jersey has to offer.”
“Congratulations to the Port Authority, the design and construction teams, and all the hardworking men and women who deliver world-class service day-in day-out for this global hub,” said New Jersey State General Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “The Terminal A project has been transformative for travelers and our economy. With an anticipated growth in demand, investments in our transportation infrastructure pay dividends for generations to come, especially when they are implemented with quality of this caliber.”
“I am delighted to celebrate the recognition of Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A as the world’s best new airport terminal,” said New Jersey State General Assembly Deputy Speaker Shanique Speight. “This honor is considered a global benchmark of airport facility excellence. This accolade is not just a win for our airport but a triumph for Newark and New Jersey, offering our citizens access to top-notch airport facilities and services. This is a proud moment that highlights our commitment to providing world-class experiences.”
“I congratulate Port Authority and Newark Airport for Terminal A’s designation as the world’s best new airport terminal by Skytrax,” said New Jersey State Sen. Joseph Cryan. “This prestigious and well-deserved recognition will only serve to benefit our local economy, bringing more jobs and visitors to the region overall.”
“Whereas the Skytrax five stars are the result of a comprehensive audit by experts, the World Airport Awards are based on actual passenger opinions,” said Dr. Lutz Weisser, managing director of Munich Airport International, the parent company of Terminal A’s operator Munich Airport NJ LLC. “Seeing that Terminal A is not only convincing auditors but is also loved by passengers shows us that we have managed to create an extraordinary travel experience at Terminal A. I am tremendously proud of the whole team who excels passenger expectations every day. The dedicated work of everybody at Terminal A and all our partners and concessionaires made this prestigious award possible.”
“It’s an amazing accomplishment to be named the best new terminal in the world,” said Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC. “We are so incredibly proud of this milestone for Terminal A and for Munich Airport NJ. It is the pinnacle of achievement in both customer experience and the result of years of planning and tireless dedication to the program. This recognition comes with a solemn responsibility associated with maintaining a world-class standard of customer service and terminal operations.”
“This award covers new airport terminals that have opened in the previous 18 months of the 2024 World Airport Awards, and covers the full range of airport facilities, staff services and customer experience evaluation,” said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax. “It is pleasing to see such a high standard being delivered here at Terminal A, which is very worthy of their award as the world’s best new airport terminal.”
In addition to the facility’s best new terminal award and five-star rating, the terminal has collected myriad other awards and recognitions. Terminal A was awarded a 2023 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Prix Versailles Special Prize for the terminal’s exterior, a design that reflects the building’s distinctive architecture emphasizing spaciousness, functionality and abundant natural light. The terminal also 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. In 2023, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in New Jersey named Terminal A as its 2023 Project of the Year.
About the Newark Liberty International Airport redevelopment
The Port Authority is redeveloping the entire Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), beginning with Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. Planning work to replace the airport’s existing mass transit system, AirTrain Newark, with a modern, reliable 2.5-mile automated people mover train system is underway. In December 2023, the first contract in a multi-phase procurement process was awarded to Doppelmayr, a leader in cable-propelled transport systems.
Additionally, the Port Authority is adding local access to the airport and New York City by increasing public transit access through the EWR Station Access Project. The new accessible facility will provide easy access for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth to New York Penn Station via Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s direct Northeast Corridor service, decreasing the current journey time from 40 minutes to under 10 minutes. Most recently, the agency’s Board of Commissioners approved $160 million for the design and construction of the project.
The next phase of the Port Authority’s transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport will be developed through the work of a world-class airport master planner selected by the agency. The EWR Vision Plan — which will serve as a framework for future development through 2065 – will incorporate plans for long-term economic growth, sustainability projects, and multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel. More information on Newark Liberty’s redevelopment and the new AirTrain Newark is available at EWRredevelopment.com.
NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S CELEBRATED NEW TERMINAL A NAMED WORLD’S BEST NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL BY PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL AIRPORT EVALUATION FIRM SKYTRAX
April 17, 2024
The World-Class Honor Based on Passenger Surveys Comes One Month after Newark’s Terminal A Receives Five-Star Rating from Skytrax Based on Audit of Terminal Facilities and Services
Newark’s Terminal A is Port Authority’s Second Airport Terminal to Receive Most Prestigious Award for Terminals from Skytrax; LaGuardia’s Terminal B Received World Best New Terminal in 2023
Photos from Today’s Awards Ceremony in Germany are Available Here, and Photos of Terminal A are Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A has been named the world’s best new airport terminal by the preeminent global airport evaluation firm Skytrax. The prestigious international industry honor comes less than a month after Skytrax gave Terminal A its highest rating, five stars, following a detailed audit of the terminal’s facilities, operations and customer service in 2023.
The Skytrax honor is considered a global benchmark of airport facility excellence, following the results of comprehensive surveys taken between August 2023 and March 2024 from passengers worldwide that evaluated traveler experiences regarding airport facilities, staff service and customer experience ranging from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration through departure at the gate. Newark Liberty is the second Port Authority airport in just two years to receive Skytrax’s highest honor for airport terminals: LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B was named the world’s best airport terminal in 2023 and was also rated five stars by Skytrax.
Newark Liberty’s latest Skytrax honor was announced at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards held earlier today at the Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference in Frankfurt, Germany, attended by the Port Authority’s Director of Aviation Redevelopment Jacquelene McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer James Heitmann, Aviation Operational Standards and Compliance General Manager Frank Radics, and Chairman Kevin O’Toole. The annual award ceremony is known within the international aviation industry as the industry’s equivalent of filmmaking’s Academy Awards.
“This is a tremendously well-deserved honor for the flagship of the Port Authority’s ongoing renaissance at Newark Liberty International Airport,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “It’s no surprise that the industry’s leader has bestowed one of its highest honors on this facility. From the distinctly Jersey aesthetic to the first-rate amenities and home-grown attractions, Terminal A is a point of pride for the Garden State that the whole world now gets to enjoy.”
“We believe strongly that our region deserves nothing but the best, and Newark Liberty has delivered the best new facility in the world for the state of New Jersey,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As a native New Jerseyan, I am incredibly proud that passengers selected Terminal A for this global recognition, and I was honored to join the distinguished Port Authority team who accepted Newark Liberty’s award for the world’s best new airport terminal from Skytrax in person today.”
“From Newark to LaGuardia, and from worst to best, our $30 billion redevelopment of the New York-New Jersey area’s major airports has truly transformed air travel for the millions of people who use our airports,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Our work at the airports reflects best-in-class standards, and we are extremely gratified for the international aviation industry’s recognition that this region is home to two of the world’s best new airport terminals.”
The $2.7 billion Terminal A represented both the Port Authority’s largest ever single investment in New Jersey and the state’s largest design-build project. The airport opened in phases throughout 2023 as airport operations migrated from the 50-year-old former Terminal A. Within its first year of service, the terminal served 15 million passengers, greatly outperforming yearly passenger totals from the previous Terminal A.
The new 1 million-square-foot Terminal A features state-of-the-art passenger amenities, local artwork, a children’s play space, digital technology and dozens of local and national dining and retail options. Other unique passenger amenities include a sensory room that offers neurodivergent travelers and their families a calm space away from the bustle of the airport, and a children’s lending library curated by a local fifth grader.
“Whereas the Skytrax five stars are the result of a comprehensive audit by experts, the World Airport Awards are based on actual passenger opinions,” said Dr. Lutz Weisser, managing director of Munich Airport International, the parent company of Terminal A’s operator Munich Airport NJ LLC. “Seeing that Terminal A is not only convincing auditors but is also loved by passengers shows us that we have managed to create an extraordinary travel experience at Terminal A. I am tremendously proud of the whole team who excels passenger expectations every day. The dedicated work of everybody at Terminal A and all our partners and concessionaires made this prestigious award possible.”
“It’s an amazing accomplishment to be named the Best New Terminal in the World,” said Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC. “We are so incredibly proud of this milestone for Terminal A and for Munich Airport NJ. It is the pinnacle of achievement in both customer experience and the result of years of planning and tireless dedication to the program. This recognition comes with a solemn responsibility associated with maintaining a world-class standard of customer service and terminal operations.”
“This award covers new airport terminals that have opened in the previous 18 months of the 2024 World Airport Awards, and covers the full range of airport facilities, staff services and customer experience evaluation,” said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax. “It is pleasing to see such a high standard being delivered here at Terminal A, which is very worthy of their award as the world’s best new airport terminal.”
In addition to the facility’s best new terminal award and five-star rating, the terminal has collected myriad other awards and recognitions. Terminal A was awarded a 2023 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Prix Versailles Special Prize for the terminal’s exterior, a design that reflects the building’s distinctive architecture emphasizing spaciousness, functionality and abundant natural light. The terminal also 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. In 2023, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in New Jersey named Terminal A as its 2023 Project of the Year.
About the Newark Liberty International Airport redevelopment
The Port Authority is redeveloping the entire Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), beginning with Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. Planning work to replace the airport’s existing mass transit system, AirTrain Newark, with a modern, reliable 2.5-mile automated people mover train system is underway. In December 2023, the first contract in a multi-phase procurement process was awarded to Doppelmayr, a leader in cable-propelled transport systems.
Additionally, the Port Authority is adding local access to the airport and New York City by increasing public transit access through the EWR Station Access Project. The new accessible facility will provide easy access for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth to New York Penn Station via Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s direct Northeast Corridor service, decreasing the current journey time from 40 minutes to under 10 minutes. Most recently, the agency’s Board of Commissioners approved $160 million for the design and construction of the project.
The next phase of the Port Authority’s transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport will be developed through the work of a world-class airport master planner selected by the agency. The EWR Vision Plan — which will serve as a framework for future development through 2065 – will incorporate plans for long-term economic growth, sustainability projects, and multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel. More information on Newark Liberty’s redevelopment and the new AirTrain Newark is available at EWRredevelopment.com.
Port Authority Trains Local Small Businesses for Future Opportunities on AirTrain Newark
April 2, 2024
By: Steve Burns and Stella Pagkas, Media Relations staff. All photos are courtesy of the Port Authority.
In order to incorporate local, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses in its major projects, the Port Authority is offering a comprehensive eight-week course to lay the groundwork for their success. Organizers hope the program’s impact will be felt long after the Port Authority’s work is done. Click here to learn more.
PORT AUTHORITY ADVANCES PLAN TO TRANSFORM TRANSIT AND AIRPORT ACCESS FOR UNDERSERVED NEWARK, ELIZABETH COMMUNITIES
March 25, 2024
Board Authorizes $160 Million For Pedestrian Bridge Extension, Pick-up/Drop-off Area Adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station
Station Access to Improve Transit and Airport Accessibility, Greatly Reduce Commute Times for Residents of Newark’s South Ward and North Elizabeth
The Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved $160 million for design and construction of the EWR Station Access project, which will add a new entry point to the Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station. The project will greatly improve transit accessibility for underserved Newark and Elizabeth neighborhoods, enabling far easier commutes and streamlined airport access.
The project will include an extension of the existing pedestrian bridge over station platforms and tracks to a new public access area off Frelinghuysen Avenue. The public access area will include a pick-up/drop-off point for private vehicles, taxis, buses, and for-hire vehicles, along with bicyclist and pedestrian access. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
The new facility will transform transit access for residents of North Elizabeth and Newark’s South Ward. Transit trips to both Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Newark Penn Station will take under 10 minutes with the new facility. Currently, the same journey via existing transit options from these neighborhoods can take 40 minutes. The project will also improve connections to PATH train service from Newark Penn Station for access to job centers in Jersey City and Manhattan, while spurring transit-oriented development around the rail station serving the airport, consistent with local community-driven planning efforts.
Currently, accessing the airport for travel or employment is unnecessarily difficult for these neighborhoods, typically requiring a private vehicle or lengthy public transit trip despite close proximity to the AirTrain.
“My administration is proud to partner with the Port Authority on the latest component in the ambitious plan to transform Newark Airport into a modern, world-class gateway,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This latest project will be a crucial bridge – literally and figuratively – for local residents, many of whom help power one of the world’s busiest airports. An extended pedestrian bridge will provide access to multiple modes of transportation, cutting down travel time significantly, and providing greater and easier access not only to multiple modes of transportation, but to a world of opportunities.”
“This is a true example of how transit access can transform a community,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This project will fill in a critical link that had been missing for too long in the South Ward and North Elizabeth, giving residents in these previously underserved neighborhoods far easier access not just to Newark Airport, but to our regional transit system and all the opportunities that come with it.”
“This project represents the Port Authority at its best – breaking down barriers and expanding economic opportunity all around our facilities,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Transit access is proven to be a game changer – expanding job options, shortening commutes, and promoting sustainability. We’re proud to help deliver those opportunities to these Newark and Elizabeth neighborhoods.”
The project scope includes a westward extension of the rail station’s existing above-grade pedestrian bridge to a new public access facility built off of Frelinghuysen Avenue. The new facility will provide elevators and escalators between the bridge and street level. It will be ADA-accessible and will display real-time bus and train arrival information alongside ticket vending machines.
The new public access area will provide accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists. Dedicated lanes will allow for streamlined pick-up/drop-off access for buses, private vehicles, taxis, and for-hire vehicles. The 16,350 square-foot facility will also include a cellphone lot for private vehicles.
The project is anticipated to generate 1,380 total job-years directly and indirectly, $125 million in direct wages, and nearly $300 million in economic activity over the life of the project. The Board of Commissioners voted on Thursday, March 21, to advance the design and construction of the project. The Port Authority previously authorized funding for project design work in March 2023.
EWR access has been a vocal request of community members for many years, most recently expressed during the agency’s EWR Vision Plan community outreach sessions. The plan will serve as a framework for future development through 2065 and makes recommendations for both short- and long-term projects while emphasizing Newark Airport as a world-class gateway for New Jersey.
The Port Authority’s planning efforts have included significant community engagement, which will continue through future phases of the project. A town hall-style event was held in Newark’s South Ward in October 2023. Extensive governmental outreach has also been conducted with the state of New Jersey, the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, and local elected officials. The agency has also coordinated with regional transportation and technical partners, including NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, and PSE&G.
Community outreach will continue through the project’s final design and construction phases. This will include direct outreach to civic organizations, additional town hall meetings in the local area prior to the start of construction, and periodic status updates throughout construction.
NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW TERMINAL A AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS FIVE-STAR RATING FROM PREEMINENT GLOBAL AIRPORT EVALUATION FIRM SKYTRAX
March 19, 2024
Five-Star Rating Awarded After Detailed Audit of Airport Terminal’s Customer Service and Front-Line Operations
With LaGuardia’s Terminal B, New York-New Jersey Region Now Home to North America’s Two Five-Star Airport Terminals
Only Three Airports or Airport Terminals in North America Have Five-Star Ratings from Skytrax, Two are Port Authority Airport Facilities
Outstanding Evaluation Builds on Terminal A’s Growing List of Accolades, including UNESCO Prix Versailles Special Prize and Project of the Year Award from American Society of Civil Engineers New Jersey Chapter
Photos of Terminal A are Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Munich Airport NJ LLC, the operator of Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A, announced today that Terminal A was given a prestigious five-star rating by Skytrax, the preeminent aviation industry ratings firm. The rating was awarded following a detailed audit of the terminal’s facilities, operations, and provision of customer service.
The coveted rating confirms Terminal A’s outstanding world-class quality. Completed in 2023, Terminal A now joins LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B as the only two airport terminals in North America awarded the highest rating by Skytrax.
The Skytrax ratings are considered a global benchmark of airport excellence, based on a detailed audit and an assessment of an airport’s product and front-line service standards. The five-star terminal rating recognizes airport terminals that provide exceptional standards of facilities and staff service to customers across all front-line areas of the airport environment.
“Five stars are reserved for the best of the best, but we expected nothing less for Newark’s Terminal A,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We set out to raise the bar with Terminal A, from its soaring architecture to its streamlined design to its engaging local art. This stellar evaluation from the aviation industry’s preeminent rating organization proves we’ve accomplished exactly that, giving New Jersey a magnificent gateway that is taking its rightful place among the world’s best.”
“This rating from Skytrax puts Newark’s Terminal A in rarified air,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Skytrax has awarded five stars to just three airports or airport terminals in North America, and our facilities account for two of them – LaGuardia’s Terminal B and Newark’s Terminal A. We’re delivering world-class facilities that befit this world-class region, and we’re proud to add this Skytrax rating as the latest validation of our effort.”
The 1 million-square-foot Terminal A opened in phases throughout 2023 as airport operations migrated from the 50-year-old former Terminal A. 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 terminal served 15 million passengers in its first year, greatly outperforming yearly passenger totals from the previous Terminal A.
The facility features state-of-the-art passenger amenities, local artwork, a children’s play space, digital technology and dozens of local dining and retail options. Other unique passenger amenities include a sensory room that offers travelers with disabilities and their families a calm space away from the bustle of the airport, and a children’s lending library curated by a local fifth grader.
“I am very proud of this prestigious award, which confirms the remarkable performance of our U.S. subsidiary in close cooperation with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,” said Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers. “This makes the Munich Airport Group the first airport operator to run two five-star facilities on two continents.”
“We are honored to be recognized as a five-star airport terminal,” said Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC, the operator of Newark Terminal A and a subsidiary of Munich Airport International GmbH. “This five-star rating places Newark Terminal A in a very exclusive North American club of two. I would like to express my sincere thanks for the tireless support of our MANJ family, and the thousands of dedicated team members who strive each day to make Newark Terminal A a very special place to travel through.”
“This five-star airport terminal rating is a fabulous achievement for Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, being just one of 22 airports and terminals worldwide and one of only three in North America to achieve our highest five-star rating,” said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax. “Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport provides an excellent range of passenger facilities, easy customer wayfinding, excellent signage and high standards of staff service. The outstanding multimedia features offer a unique, differentiating factor here at Terminal A.”
Beyond the prestigious Skytrax rating, the terminal has collected a multitude of other awards and recognitions since its opening. 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. 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 recently named the 2023 Project of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in New Jersey.
About the Newark Liberty International Airport redevelopmentopening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region.
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) that began with theThe Port Authority is replacing Newark Liberty’s existing mass transit system, AirTrain Newark, with a modern, reliable 2.5-mile automated people mover train system. The first contract in a multi-phase procurement process was awarded in December 2023 to Doppelmayr, a leader in cable-propelled transport systems. The new system is expected to open in 2029.
Additionally, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners has authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR Station Access Project, which is expected to increase public transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including easy access for residents of these communities to New York Penn Station via Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s direct Northeast Corridor service.
The next phase of the Port Authority’s ongoing transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport will be developed through the work of a world-class airport master planner selected by the agency. The EWR Vision Plan — which will serve as a framework for future development through 2065 – will incorporate plans for long-term economic growth, sustainability projects, and multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel. Visit EWRredevelopment.com for information regarding the replacement of the new AirTrain Newark and other EWR redevelopment projects.
NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S TERMINAL A CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY — SERVES 15 MILLIONTH PASSENGER IN FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS, 5 MILLION MORE THAN PREVIOUS TERMINAL A IN ANY YEAR OF ITS 50-YEAR LIFESPAN
Jan. 12, 2024
New Terminal A’s Extraordinary Operational Performance Drives Newark Liberty to New Annual Passenger Records of 49 Million Travelers in 2023
Awards for Terminal So Far Include Prix Versailles Special Prize for Distinguished Exterior Design, Skytrax World Airport Finalist; Building Received LEED Gold Certification from U.S. Green Building Council
In First Year of Service, Terminal Unveils More Customer-Friendly Amenities Such as Sensory Room for Special-Needs Travelers, New Consolidated Parking Facility Includes Streamlined Car Rental Process
New Terminal’s Economic Impact to Region Reaches $4.6B with 2,500 Direct Jobs Created in New Jersey To Date
Photos from Today’s Celebration are Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today 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.
About the Newark Liberty International Airport redevelopment
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport that began with the opening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region.
The Port Authority is actively moving forward on a full replacement of Newark Liberty’s outdated AirTrain system with a modern, reliable 2.5-mile automated people mover train system. The first contract in a multi-phase procurement process was awarded in December to Doppelmayr, a market leader in cable-propelled transport systems. The new system is expected to open in 2029.
Additionally, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners has authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR Station Access Project, which is expected to increase public transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including easy access for residents of these communities to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT direct Northeast Corridor services.
The next phase of the Port Authority’s ongoing transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport will be developed through the work of a world-class airport master planner selected by the agency. The EWR Vision Plan — which will serve as a framework for future development through 2065 – will incorporate plans for long-term economic growth, sustainability projects, and multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.
Visit EWRredevelopment.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement Program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S TERMINAL A WINS PRESTIGIOUS PRIX VERSAILLES SPECIAL PRIZE
Dec. 21, 2023
UNESCO Architecture Award in Airports Category Honors Terminal A’s Distinctive Exterior Design Over Six Nominees Across Three Continents
Prix Versailles Award for Newark Terminal A Follows Port Authority Win in 2021 for LaGuardia Airport’s New Terminal B
Photos of Terminal A are Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A has been awarded a 2023 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Prix Versailles Special Prize for the terminal’s exterior. The prestigious global architecture and design award underscores the agency’s comprehensive efforts to transform its outdated airports into modern 21st century facilities that are worthy of both industry and global recognition.
The Prix Versailles award, established in 2015, aims to highlight “intelligent sustainability” as a cultural driver, touching on every aspect of the built environment. Recipients, as cited by UNESCO, are selected for the “qualities of innovation, creativity, reflection of local, natural and cultural heritage, and ecological efficiency, as well as the values of social interaction and participation which the United Nations holds in high regard.” Terminal A was selected for a special prize from among six nominees across three continents in the airports category. LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B received the 2021 Prix Versailles award for best new airport.
“We’re gratified that industry and design experts agree with what the New Jersey/New York region already knows: our reimagined airports are among the world’s best, thanks to the ambitious goals and tireless work of the Port Authority and our partners,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We’re pleased to see this distinguished panel agree that Terminal A’s distinctive architecture, intuitive engineering and sustainable design work in concert for an airport experience that’s among the best in the world.”
“Newark Liberty’s Terminal A is the embodiment of our commitment to offer a top-tier customer experience from curb to gate, with a New Jersey sense of place and world-class amenities in an extraordinary space that offers a fitting welcome to the region,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We’re immensely proud to add another accolade just two years after our last Prix Versailles win for LaGuardia’s Terminal B, and we expect more to come as our $30 billion airport redevelopment work continues.”
Newark Liberty’s Terminal A features a sleek, modern design that evokes New Jersey’s identity as the Garden State through several diamond-shaped skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows. The distinctive architecture emphasizes spaciousness and functionality that offers travelers uninterrupted sightlines and abundant natural light. The design works in combination with state-of-the-art digital technology and modern amenities to create an intuitive and comfortable passenger experience.
Opened in early 2023, the 1 million-square-foot Terminal A was delivered as part of a design-build consortium led by Tutor Perini/Parsons JV with Grimshaw as the design architect in partnership with STV as executive architect. The $2.7 billion project represented both the Port Authority’s largest ever investment in New Jersey and the state’s largest design-build project. In addition to its award-winning aesthetics, the facility received LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council thanks to its energy-efficient design, rooftop solar panels, efficient lighting and water fixtures and “cool roof” to reflect sunlight.
Alongside innovative amenities and eye-catching design, Terminal A offers an unmistakable sense of place with a public art program featuring dozens of local artists, digital wayfinding with New Jersey-themed fun facts and airport lounges with locally sourced furniture and décor. The New Jersey connections extend to food and retail offerings that include local shops with roots in the nearby cities of Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City that together complement regional, national and global brands.
To serve the new terminal, the Port Authority opened a 2.7 million-square-foot consolidated rent-a-car facility that houses 10 rental car operations under one roof for a streamlined, simplified rental process. The facility is housed within the terminal’s new public parking facility, which features the largest rooftop solar panel installation in any U.S. airport along with more than 150 electric vehicle charging stations.
More information on the 2023 Prix Versailles awards is available here.
About Newark Liberty International Airport Redevelopment
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport that began with the opening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region.
This month, the Port Authority moved forward on a full replacement of Newark Liberty’s outdated AirTrain system with a modern, reliable 2.5-mile automated people mover train system. The first contract in a multi-phase procurement process was awarded to Doppelmayr, a market leader in cable-propelled transport systems. The new system is expected to open in 2029.
Earlier this year, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR Station Access Project, which is expected to increase public transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT direct Northeast Corridor services.
The next phase of the Port Authority’s ongoing transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport will be developed through the work of a world-class airport master planner selected by the agency last year. The EWR Vision Plan — which will serve as a framework for future development through 2065 – will incorporate plans for long-term economic growth, sustainability projects, and multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.
Visit EWRredevelopment.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement Program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
NOW ARRIVING: At Newark Liberty’s Terminal A, New Sensory Room Seeks to Ease Stress of Air Travel
Dec. 19, 2023
By: Stella Pagkas, with additional reporting by Cheryl Albiez, Media Relations staff. All photos are courtesy of the Port Authority.
A new calming area in Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A created for neurodivergent travelers and travelers on the autism spectrum provides sanctuary from the stress of air travel. Designed in consultation with leading autism experts, the new space – along with a second complementary room in development at the terminal – is a grounding space before takeoff.
In time for the holiday travel peak period, learn about how Terminal A’s new sensory room can help make air travel feel more zen: https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/blogs/air/at-newark-liberty-s-terminal-a–new-sensory-room-seeks-to-ease-s.html
AIRTRAIN NEWARK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM TAKES MAJOR STEP FORWARD WITH SELECTION OF FIRM FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW AIRTRAIN TECHNOLOGY AND VEHICLES
Dec. 14, 2023
Doppelmayr Awarded Contract in First Phase of Multi-Phase Procurement to Replace Existing Monorail System as Overall Airport Transformation Continues
Contract Includes Ambitious Goals Around Hiring Local, Minority, Women, and Veteran Contractors, Alongside Local Workforce Development Program
Renderings Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that it has selected Doppelmayr, a market leader in cable-propelled transport systems, in the first phase of a multi-phase procurement process to replace the existing AirTrain system at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The AirTrain Newark Replacement Program will replace the current outmoded system with a modern, reliable 2.5-mile automated people mover train system.
Doppelmayr will play a key role in developing the new AirTrain Newark system. The contract includes $570 million for design and construction, with an estimated $385 million over 20 years, net present value, for operation and maintenance of the automated people mover system and its vehicles. The new AirTrain system is expected to open in 2029.
“By advancing the replacement of AirTrain Newark, we further build upon Newark Liberty’s transformation into the modern, world-class airport our region deserves,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “This project marks a massive win-win not only for the tens of thousands of passengers who utilize AirTrain Newark daily, but for our residents in adjacent communities as well. While the revamped AirTrain will improve efficiency and connectivity at Newark Liberty, the project will also promote workforce development opportunities and good-paying local jobs, including for minority- and women-owned businesses.”
“This is a critical step in our wide-ranging efforts to revitalize and modernize Newark Liberty International Airport,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Given Doppelmayr’s experience and expertise, we know the firm will be a great partner in bringing our travelers the reliable, efficient transportation they deserve, surrounded by world-class terminals and amenities.”
“We are committed to driving this critical project forward, and this multi-step procurement process does it in a way that’s manageable and encourages competition,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “The selection of Doppelmayr underscores our determination to deliver travelers a world-class customer experience at our airports, including modern, reliable mass transit options.”
“Doppelmayr is proud to partner with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the development of the new AirTrain Newark,” said Markus Schrenttewein, President Doppelmayr Cable Car America, Inc. “The Doppelmayr Group has a large number of similar projects to its name in the US, namely the Oakland Airport Connector and systems in Las Vegas. For AirTrain Newark, Doppelmayr will place a special emphasis on creating value for the local community.”
In addition to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the automated people mover system and its vehicles, the first procurement phase also includes the furnishing, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of the system technology components. Those components include train control, electrical power, communications, propulsion, and Maintenance and Control Facility (MCF) equipment. Future project procurement phases will include contracts related to the system’s guideway and stations, maintenance and control facility, pedestrian connections, and demolition of the existing system, among others.
Doppelmayr was selected after a rigorous review process, following a Request for Qualifications issued in December 2022 and a Request for Proposals issued in March 2023.
The contract continues the Port Authority’s mandate to create equitable economic opportunities at its major capital projects. To this end, Doppelmayr has committed to making good-faith efforts to meet specific benchmarks around the hiring of minority-owned business enterprises, women-owned business enterprises, service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises, and locally owned business enterprises, with those from the cities of Newark and Elizabeth prioritized.
The firm is also required to develop a locally based workforce development program, with goals to hire program participants for future work on the new system’s construction and operation. Additional details regarding work and contracting opportunities are available on the EWR Redevelopment website.
AirTrain Newark serves as the primary means for millions of passengers to transfer between the three passenger terminals at Newark Liberty, parking, rental car facilities, and regional rail transit via the Northeast Corridor Rail Link Station, with connections to NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak rail service. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the AirTrain carried an average of 33,000 passengers per day, or approximately 12 million passengers per year. The existing AirTrain, in operation since 1996, is reaching the end of its useful life, requires extensive maintenance and repair, and cannot adequately meet forecasted demand.
Redeveloping Newark Liberty International Airport
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport that began with the opening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region.
Earlier this year, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners also authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR Station Access Project, which is expected to increase public transit access for the South Ward neighborhood to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for the underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT direct Northeast Corridor services.
The next phase of the Port Authority’s ongoing transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport will be developed through the work of a world-class airport master planner selected by the agency last year. The EWR Vision Plan — which will serve as a framework for future development through 2065 – will incorporate plans for long-term economic growth, sustainability projects, and multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.
Visit EWRredevelopment.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement Program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
About the Doppelmayr Group
The Doppelmayr Group is a world market leader in cable-propelled transport systems for passenger and material transport, as well as high-tech intralogistics solutions. The company offers 130 years of experience in the planning, development, design, production, and construction of cable-propelled systems. The company’s work includes the Aria Express in Las Vegas and the Oakland Airport Connector. This proven, reliable technology has made cable-propelled Automated People Movers a popular and high-performance transportation solution for airports and urban areas.
NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S TERMINAL A AWARDED LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION
Nov. 9, 2023
Environmental Achievement Aligns with Port Authority’s Agencywide Goal of Reaching Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced today that Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A achieved LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the most widely used green-building rating system in the world and an international symbol of environmental responsibility.
“The LEED Gold designation exemplifies the agency’s commitment to environmental sustainability and being a good neighbor,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “By establishing rigorous building standards and adopting aggressive measures to reduce our carbon footprint, we are creating a healthier environment and striving to improve the quality of life for those in the region we serve.”
“As the Port Authority drives $30 billion in airport redevelopment projects, we are ensuring that we take a sustainable, resilient and equitable approach to the planning, design and construction of our facilities,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We all have a role to play to tackle the existential threat of climate change, and this certification shows the Port Authority is committed to be in the front rank of sustainability initiatives.”
The USGBC’s LEED certification is in use worldwide, recognizing buildings, homes, and neighborhoods that prioritize environmental sustainability through their design, construction and operation. Following stringent requirements, Newark Liberty’s Terminal A met specific sustainability benchmarks for energy efficiency, water conservation, site selection, material selection and waste reduction.
The terminal’s LEED certification comes just after the Port Authority unveiled its Net-Zero Roadmap, a comprehensive agencywide plan comprised of more than 40 concrete actions that will guide the agency’s efforts in meeting its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as interim goals of a 35 percent reduction in direct emissions by 2025, and a 50 percent reduction by 2030.
The 1 million-square-foot Terminal A features a variety of sustainable design elements, including the largest solar rooftop installation at any U.S. airport atop the terminal’s parking deck, new electric buses to support shuttle operations, water-efficient fixtures reducing potable water demand by more than 45 percent, a cool roof designed to reflect sunlight, absorbing less solar energy and reducing the heat gain on the building, and energy-efficient indoor lighting and controls. In achieving LEED Gold, the project meets the Port Authority’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing annual energy costs by an estimated 30 percent.
Newark Liberty is also providing charging and electrical infrastructure to enable airlines’ transition to electric ground-support equipment (GSE) across the terminal. The agency’s 2022 Zero Emission Airside Vehicle Rule mandates the conversion of all GSE to electric models by 2030 where commercially available.
In accordance with Port Authority’s climate resilience design guidelines, Terminal A was also designed to withstand today’s 100-year flood projections plus projected future sea level rise. By completing the LEED Gold certification, the facility also satisfies compliance with the Port Authority’s sustainable building guidelines, which align with the LEED rating system. Both guidelines can be found on the agency’s website.
For more information and images of Terminal A, please visit the airport’s webpage at https://www.ewrredevelopment.com.
PORT AUTHORITY PARTNERS WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY FOR TRAINING PROGRAM TO ELEVATE LOCAL BUSINESSES AND POSITION FOR AIRTRAIN NEWARK REPLACEMENT CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES
Sept. 13, 2023
Courses Will Prepare Minority, Women-Owned, Small, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MWSDBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) from Newark and Elizabeth to Compete in Prime and Subcontractor Opportunities Associated with Replacement of AirTrain Newark
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced a new partnership with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) to implement a training program for minority, women-owned, small, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWSDBE) and service-disabled veteran owned business (SDVOB).
This program will prepare and position firms located primarily within the municipalities of Newark and Elizabeth, N.J., to compete for prime and subcontractor opportunities associated with the AirTrain Newark replacement program and other projects. The Port Authority will replace the existing AirTrain Newark system with a new 2.5-mile automated train system under a multi-phase procurement process.
In keeping with its commitment to communities surrounding its facilities, the Port Authority developed several programs designed to engage local communities in the areas of workforce development and job creation; diversity, equity and inclusion; and education.
“At the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, we keep the region moving by air, land, rail and sea, so that the people and businesses of our region continue to thrive,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As one of the largest economic generators in the region, we also have a commitment to an inclusionary contracting practice and to ensuring the economic benefits of our infrastructure projects are available to the communities surrounding our facilities, which includes job opportunities.”
“The Port Authority recognizes the value of a diverse workforce and supplier base that reflects our region,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “That diversity will help enhance and promote our operational effectiveness, our brand and our impact in the community, particularly as we are modernizing our facilities.”
“These times remind me of words that were expressed by the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,’” said John E. Harmon Sr., the founder, president and CEO of AACCNJ. “We are now in those times once again and the optimal outcomes can be realized when the rules of engagement are clearly defined, and the playing field is available to all to compete effectively with value being the declared goal. The AACCNJ applauds the Port Authority and its team of professionals in their support of our collaborative approach to identify talented businesses from communities near the proposed AirTrain Newark replacement program at a time when others are trepid about creditably engaging MWSDBE and SDVOB enterprises to compete for public and private sector opportunities.”
“This is a one-of-a-kind executive education, workforce development and bonding capacity building program. It will increase the readiness of small businesses to sign contracts. It leverages the Port Authority’s commitment to local contracting, the connections of AACCNJ, the research on minority business development of CUEED and expertise in procurement of Integrity Compliance Consulting,” said Lyneir Richardson, assistant professor of practice at Rutgers Business School and executive director of the Newark Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CUEED).
Program participants will be connected directly to leaders in finance, law, accounting, information systems, procurement, supply chain, bonding, and human resources. The program sessions are held at Rutgers Business School in Newark, N.J. The second cohort begins today with classes starting on Sept. 20. The Port Authority, with the AACCNJ, CUEED and Integrity Compliance Consulting (ICC) successfully launched the eight-week program consisting of classes with the following curriculum:
- marketing/branding/elevator pitch
- project and document management; construction management
- job cost
- bonding/general conditions for bidding/project labor agreements/prevailing wages
- work schedule/forecasting
- estimating/scheduling/change orders
- joint venture/contract law
- financials/bookkeeping/taxes
About AirTrain Newark
AirTrain Newark is a critical component of the operation of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The automated monorail system carries on average 33,000 passengers per day or approximately 12 million passengers per year. It provides access to the Northeast Corridor Rail Link station, connecting riders to NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak service, and provides customers and employees with the ability to transfer between terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities. The current AirTrain EWR, which has reached the end of its useful life, will be replaced with a new AirTrain system that will meet increasing passenger demands and enable world-class operations that provide for a 21st century customer experience for airport visitors and employees.
About the AACCNJ
The AACCNJ performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.
About CUEED
Rutgers University – Newark’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CUEED) is the first center of its kind in the nation to integrate scholarly works with private capital, government, and non-profit sectors to develop citywide resources and bring renewed economic growth and vitality through urban entrepreneurship. It promotes and fosters a new generation of urban entrepreneurs who actively seek socially conscious urban renaissance. Its mission is to build a world-class research-driven, teaching and practitioner-oriented urban entrepreneurship and economic development program that will transform the economy of the city of Newark, New Jersey, and other urban centers; create wealth in urban communities; and be a model for all urban universities.
PORT AUTHORITY AND AMERICAN EXPRESS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR NEW CENTURION LOUNGE AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW TERMINAL A
Sept.12, 2023
18,000-Square-Foot Lounge to Open in 2026; Will Feature Terrace with Manhattan Skyline, Airfield Views and Piano Lounge A
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and American Express announced plans today to expand the Centurion Lounge network with its first location at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). At 18,000 square feet, the new Centurion Lounge will include an indoor terrace overlooking the airfield with views of the Manhattan skyline and a cocktail bar and piano lounge celebrating New Jersey’s rich jazz history. It will also feature signature Centurion Lounge amenities, including a menu inspired by local cuisine, ample seating areas, dedicated workstations, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. The new lounge, located in the Newark Liberty’s new Terminal A, is scheduled to open in 2026. American Express is the first credit card issuer to announce plans to open a proprietary lounge at EWR.
“The new Terminal A is the first step in a renaissance for Newark Liberty International Airport,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The addition of the Centurion Lounge, with its stunning architecture, incredible amenities and a celebration of New Jersey’s rich history throughout will be a fitting capstone to an already world-class facility.”
“The Port Authority is committed to elevating the travel experience for the nearly 14 million passengers expected to use the new Terminal A this year,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “When this new lounge opens, it will become part of the world class amenities available to travelers in the stunning new Terminal A at Newark Liberty airport.”
“The Centurion Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport is a strong addition to our global network giving eligible card members a taste of New Jersey’s local culture,” said Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel. “From the design to the food and beverage menu, our new lounge is inspired by New Jersey’s history and features upscale amenities that our card members love.”
The new Centurion Lounge will feature locally inspired design and amenities including:
- Terrace with city skyline views: A 1,400-square-foot indoor terrace overlooking Newark Liberty International Airport’s airfield and a view of Manhattan.
- Jazz bar and piano lounge: Jazz has played a vibrant role in New Jersey’s cultural landscape for decades, making the state a vibrant home for jazz enthusiasts past and present. To celebrate that history, guests will enjoy a cocktail bar inspired by the 20th century jazz era in New Jersey and a piano lounge featuring live music.
- Archival collection: A quiet reprieve featuring artifacts and antiques that celebrate New Jersey’s rich culture and history of innovation.
In addition to special local touches, the new lounge will be home to signature amenities including a space designed for families with small children, complimentary food and beverage offerings that will feature a locally inspired menu and signature cocktails, premium restrooms and shower suites, dedicated workstations, ample seating areas and access to high-speed Wi-Fi.
Rendering of American Express’s new Centurion Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport. Credit: American Express
ABOUT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REDEVELOPMENT first phase opening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region.
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International that began with theThe agency’s EWR Vision Plan — which serves as a framework for future development through 2065 – will provide for long-term economic growth, incorporate sustainability projects in every element of the development plan and provide multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.
Earlier this year, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners also authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR station access project, which is expected to increase public transit access for the South Ward neighborhood to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for the underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s (NJT) direct Northeast Corridor services. The authorization is for planning and preliminary design work for a new multimodal facility at the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station serving EWR. The project will leverage existing transportation assets, including Amtrak, NJT and AirTrain Newark rail service, in a cost-effective way to improve access, mobility and regional connectivity for the neighboring airport communities of Newark and Elizabeth.
Visit anewEWR.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com at facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.
ABOUT THE CENTURION LOUNGE
The Centurion Lounge is the signature lounge program within the broader American Express Global Lounge collection, which includes complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, Delta Sky Club for card members flying on Delta, Priority Pass Select Lounges upon enrollment, Plaza Premium Lounges, select Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, and additional global lounge collection partner lounges — a total of more than 1,400 lounges across 140 countries and counting. Eligible card members can find a lounge at the Global Lounge Collection website, https://americanexpress.com/findalounge, or by using the American Express app. They can also begin their check-in process for select Centurion Lounges through the mobile check-in tool within the American Express app.
NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW TERMINAL A NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL WITH OPENING OF FINAL GATES, ADDITIONAL RETAIL OPTIONS
August 23, 2023
Delta Air Lines Moves Operations and Sky Club Lounge from Terminal B to New Terminal A
Terminal A Milestone is First Step in Comprehensive Makeover for Newark Liberty
Photos of Delta’s New Sky Club Lounge at Terminal A are Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport is now fully operational with the opening of the final five gates of the terminal alongside additional retail and dining outlets and the transfer of Delta Air Lines operations and Sky Club lounge from Terminal B.
The new 1 million-square-foot Terminal A replaced the previous terminal that opened in 1973. The 33-gate facility features airy, light-filled concourses alongside state-of-the-art digital technology, modern passenger amenities, superior dining and retail options, and an innovative public art program showcasing dozens of local artists. Terminal A has been designed and constructed to the standards of LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
With Terminal A now fully operational, the Port Authority has committed to a full re-envisioning of the entire airport complex. The agency last year selected a world-renowned master planner to design a framework for future development through 2065, recommending short- and long-term projects to enable economic growth, drive sustainability efforts, and create a world-class gateway for New Jersey and the region. The plan’s development includes extensive community outreach and participation.
“The full rebirth of Newark Liberty International Airport begins with this gleaming new terminal,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We are proud to welcome Delta Air Lines to its spectacular new home in Terminal A, as we embark on a comprehensive reimagining for the entire airport.”
“Newark Airport’s transformation is now taking off,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Newark Airport’s new Terminal A is yet another testament to the Port Authority’s commitment to bring our airport passengers the world class facilities they deserve. The agency’s largest-ever investment in New Jersey has certainly paid off.”
Delta Air Lines joins Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines in the new Terminal A. The activation of five more gates completes the full operational complement of 33 gates in Terminal A. As of mid-August, the terminal has served over 9 million passengers, and is on target to welcome the 10 millionth passenger in mid-September.
“Delta’s move to the transformed and modernized Terminal A helps us further enhance the travel journey for our Newark customers for years to come,” said Ginny Elliott, Delta Air Lines’s vice president of East Coast airport operations. “This relocation also makes it possible for us to open a new, larger Delta Sky Club, where lounge guests can relax and recharge before their flights.”
“We are very happy to welcome Delta Air Lines and the Delta Sky Club to Terminal A,” said Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC., the terminal operator of the new Terminal A. “Their arrival marks a major milestone in achieving a full-operational status and sets the stage for continued world-class travel in and out of Terminal A.”
In addition to relocating to Terminal A, Delta has opened a new 7,000-square-foot passenger lounge with a design inspired by the city’s natural landscape and industrial past. The new space seats more than 200 guests and includes elevated views of the terminal and airfield. The lounge features acoustic systems designed to absorb outside sounds, providing visitors with a quiet refuge inside the bustling terminal. Guests of Delta’s Sky Club at Terminal A can enjoy a drink from either the premium bar or the beverage station, as well as buffet-style food offerings.
Additional local retail, food and beverage shops from Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City, as well as regional, national and global brands, provide passengers with more dining and retail options.
More upgrades are on the way at the airport. The privately financed Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRac) facility is expected to open later this year. The 2.7 million-square-foot facility will consolidate 10 rental car operations under one roof, allowing for a streamlined, simplified rental process. The terminal’s public parking facility features the largest rooftop solar panel installation in any U.S. airport along with more than 150 electric vehicle charging stations.
For travelers seeking mass transit options to the airport, the Port Authority is committed to building a brand-new AirTrain Newark system, which is integral to modernizing and improving Newark Liberty. AirTrain Newark will be replaced through a multi-phase procurement process. Earlier this year, the agency selected three automated-people-mover (APM) system technology firms to advance to the next phase of a multi-phase procurement process to replace the existing AirTrain Newark system at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with a new 2.5-mile automated train system.
The AirTrain started operating in 1996 and is now outdated. It carries an average of 26,000 passengers per day and nearly 10 million passengers per year. It connects to the Northeast Corridor Rail Link Station and provides customers and employees with the ability to transfer among terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities.
About Newark Liberty International Airport Redevelopment:first phase opening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region.
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International that began with theThe agency’s EWR Vision Plan — which serves as a framework for future development through 2065 – will provide for long-term economic growth, incorporate sustainability projects in every element of the development plan and provide multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.
Earlier this year, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners also authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR station access project, which is expected to increase public transit access for the South Ward neighborhood to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for the underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s (NJT) direct Northeast Corridor services. The authorization is for planning and preliminary design work for a new multimodal facility at the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station serving EWR. The project will leverage existing transportation assets, including Amtrak, NJT and AirTrain Newark rail service, in a cost-effective way to improve access, mobility and regional connectivity for the neighboring airport communities of Newark and Elizabeth.
Visit anewEWR.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S TERMINAL A ACHIEVES NEXT OPERATIONAL MILESTONE WITH OPENING OF SEVEN ADDITIONAL GATES
July 25, 2023
Second Phase Also Includes More than a Dozen New Concessions and Retail Offerings, First Six Now Open
New $2.7 Billion World-Class Terminal Opened This Year with 21 of 33 Gates in Operation
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced another significant operational milestone for Newark Liberty International Airport’s $2.7 billion new Terminal A. As part of the world-class terminal’s second phase, seven additional gates are now available for United Airlines and JetBlue operations. Six more concession and retail offerings have opened over the past five days.
Terminal A initially opened earlier this year with 21 out of 33 gates in operation. With the opening of these new gates, both airlines now have access to their full allocation within the new terminal. The remaining five gates will become operational over the next 60 days with the transition of Delta Air Lines from Terminal B to the new Terminal A.
“The opening of Terminal A at Newark Liberty is a historic project representing the agency’s largest ever single investment in New Jersey,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “These openings mark an exciting milestone in our vision of delivering state-of-the-art terminals at the airport.”
“The Port Authority, which is committed to creating world-class airports for our region, is driving a $30 billion investment in transforming the region’s airports into a network of modern, state-of-the art gateways,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “As we near the completion of the second phase of construction in Terminal A, we are excited for passengers to experience the entire terminal’s world-class customer amenities.”
“The new Terminal A has been an amazing experience in collaboration with the industry leaders sharing the same common goal of meeting travel demand and providing a world-class travel experience to passengers flying out of Newark Liberty International Airport,” said Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC, which operates Terminal A. “We are confident the addition of new gates, food and retail concessions are also poised for success as they prepare to serve a projected nearly 14 million passengers this year.”
Six additional concessions also opened: Jersey Mike’s; Law Coffee, a Newark, N.J.-based coffee roaster; the Ink bookstore; Boardwalk; the contactless retailer Nonstop by Hudson, and an additional New Jersey Monthly location offering local goods in the arrivals hall. Once fully open, Terminal A will host a total of 55 food and retail options from locally owned and operated concessionaires from Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City, and regional, national and global brands.
Last month, United Airlines opened a United Club location as the first of three airline lounges to open in the new Terminal A. The two other clubs at Terminal A – the American Airlines Admirals Club, and the Delta Air Lines Sky Club – will open later this quarter.
Airlines currently operating in Newark Liberty’s Terminal A include Air Canada, American, JetBlue, and United.
The new Terminal A replaced the previous outmoded terminal that had opened in 1973. The new 33-gate facility features state-of-the-art digital technology, modern passenger amenities, and superior dining and retail options. In addition to offering an innovative public art program showcasing 29 local artists, Terminal A has been designed and constructed to achieve LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The next phase of the Port Authority’s ongoing transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport will be developed through the work of a world-class airport master planner selected by the agency last year. The Port Authority is also committed to building a brand-new AirTrain Newark system, which is integral to modernizing and improving Newark Liberty. The AirTrain started operating in 1996 and is now outdated. It carries an average of 26,000 passengers per day or nearly 10 million passengers per year. It connects to the Northeast Corridor Rail Link Station and provides customers and employees with the ability to transfer among terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities.
About Newark Liberty International Airport Redevelopment:
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International that began with the first phase opening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region.
The agency’s EWR Vision Plan — which serves as a framework for future development through 2065 – will provide for long-term economic growth, incorporate sustainability projects in every element of the development plan and provide multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.
Earlier this year, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners also authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR station access project, which is expected to increase public transit access for the South Ward neighborhood to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for the underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s (NJT) direct Northeast Corridor services. The authorization is for planning and preliminary design work for a new multimodal facility at the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station serving EWR. The project will leverage existing transportation assets, including Amtrak, NJT and AirTrain Newark rail service, in a cost-effective way to improve access, mobility and regional connectivity for the neighboring airport communities of Newark and Elizabeth.
Visit anewEWR.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
FIRST AIRPORT LOUNGE OPENS AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW TERMINAL A
July 13, 2023
United Club Opens Its 15,000-Square-Foot Space Featuring New York/New Jersey-Inspired Design and Modern Amenities
This week, United Airlines opened a United Club location in the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, marking the first of four airport lounges to open in the world-class, state-of-the-art terminal. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the operational opening of the $2.7 billion new Terminal A at Newark Liberty earlier this year, representing the largest single investment in New Jersey in the agency’s history.
The United Club, a 15,000-square-foot space located near gate A27, features a modern, locally inspired design and upgraded amenities, as well as ample space with more than 300 seats, plenty of recliners, couches and chairs across spaces for lounging, working, dining and socializing.
“The opening of United’s lounge is the first milestone in the second phase opening of the new Terminal A,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Expected to be completed later this year, we will be unveiling three more club lounges and 12 additional gates for a total of 33 gates with even more retail stores and restaurants.”
“Newark Liberty continues to move forward in its transformation into a world-class airport,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “United’s lounge is the first in a remarkable array of new world-class amenities that will be part of the full opening of Terminal A that will occur over this summer and early fall.”
“We’re excited to be part of Newark Liberty’s transformation and the first airline club in Terminal A. With the opening of this new United Club location, we’re providing customers with an elevated experience that’s reminiscent of the Newark community,” said Andrew Nocella, United Airlines executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “We designed this club location with thoughtful touches like locally curated artwork and modern amenities, making it a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors.”
“We are so happy the United Club has opened in Terminal A,” said Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC, the terminal operator of Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A. “The United Club provides an enhanced passenger experience. Its staff, facility, artwork, and amenities are a great compliment to our new terminal. We look forward to working closely with United Airlines and the United Club to provide a world-class travel experience to passengers traveling through Terminal A.”
In keeping with Port Authority’s vision for a transformative customer experience offering a distinctive New Jersey sense of place in Terminal A, the club not only provides breathtaking views but also touts locally sourced furniture and décor. The lounge also features hand-crafted artwork from local artists, including a feature mural from Newark-based artist Antoinette Ellis-Williams, known for her use of layering through mixed media and abstract collaging. Additional local artwork includes paintings, photographs, and prints from an array of regional artists.
Travelers are greeted by inspiring public art throughout Terminal A showcasing the work of 29 local artists.
In addition to its modern amenities and state-of-the-art technology, the United Club location in Newark also features a wellness room to provide a space of comfort for nursing parents or travelers looking to meditate or pray.
The three other clubs at Terminal A – the American Airlines Admirals Club, the American Express Centurion Lounge and the Delta Air Lines Sky Club – are expected to open later this year.
Kunz added, “We are also looking forward to the opening of the American Airlines Admirals Club and the Delta Airlines Sky Club later this year with the American Express Centurion Lounge coming sometime in 2025. As terminal operators, we recognize we have a unique opportunity to open not one, but four world-class airport lounges in a state-of-the-art airport terminal. These airline clubs and lounges are the secret missing ingredient that will take the new Terminal A from great to amazing, while surprising and delighting passengers with a world-class travel experience in New Jersey.”
About Newark Liberty International Airport Redevelopment:
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International that began with the first phase opening of Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The next phase of this transformation will be developed through the work of a recently selected world-class airport master planner.
The agency’s EWR Vision Plan — which serves as a framework for future development through 2065 – will provide for long-term economic growth, incorporate sustainability projects in every element of the development plan and provide multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.
Most recently, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR station access project, which is expected to increase public transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for the underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s (NJT) direct Northeast Corridor services. The authorization is for planning and preliminary design work for a new multimodal facility at the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station serving EWR. The project will leverage existing transportation assets, including Amtrak, NJT and AirTrain Newark rail service, in a cost-effective way to improve access, mobility and regional connectivity for the neighboring airport communities of Newark and Elizabeth.
Visit www.anewEWR.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
PORT AUTHORITY ADVANCES COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY WITH RECORD-SETTING SOLAR PROJECTS IN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK
April 25, 2023
First Gigawatt-Hour Generated at Newark Liberty’s Newly Built Terminal A Parking Garage, Where Largest Single Solar Rooftop Project at a U.S. Airport Began Operating This Year by ENGIE
TotalEnergies to Begin Construction of New York State’s Largest Solar Carport at John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2023
Expanding Use of Solar Power at Region’s Airports Critical to Agency Goal of Net-Zero Emissions by 2050
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that Newark Liberty International Airport’s 5-megawatt (MW) solar project at the Terminal A parking garage, which is the largest single solar rooftop project at any U.S. airport, has generated 1 gigawatt hour of power after just two months of operation. As part of the agency’s continued commitment to sustainability, Port Authority also announced a deal with TotalEnergies to begin construction of New York state’s largest solar carport at JFK in 2023.
“With the announcement of the largest single solar rooftop project at any airport in the nation, Newark Liberty continues to bolster its standing as a world-class transportation hub that is not only modern and welcoming but equipped to confront the challenges of our worsening climate crisis,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Indeed, as we continue to pursue a 100 percent clean-energy economy and a greener New Jersey, every institution and agency has a crucial role to play. While advancing PANYNJ’s critical efforts to prioritize sustainability, the unveiling of this project testifies to the significant progress we can – and will – achieve toward making our state greener and more resilient for generations to come.”
“New York is taking historic action to combat climate change, from investing in energy affordability to promoting clean air and water to mandating all vehicles sold in New York be zero emission by 2035,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “The inclusion of a significant solar array as part of the redevelopment of JFK Airport will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, effectively repurpose heat energy for water management, and will limit the carbon footprint at one of the world’s busiest hubs. We will continue working closely together to create a greener future for our communities, our infrastructure, and our planet.”
“We became the first U.S. transportation agency to embrace the Paris Climate Agreement and have taken ambitious actions to do our part to mitigate the effects of climate change,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As part of our longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in the New York and New Jersey region, the agency has made significant investments, such as these projects, in solar energy and other renewable energy sources.”
“The agency recognizes the transformative potential of solar energy,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We have established a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These projects at JFK and Newark Liberty are part of the Port Authority’s aggressive climate action plan to meet the demands of a growing region by embarking on an unprecedented program to build the next generation of world-class infrastructure all while focusing on reducing our environmental impact.”
Installed by ENGIE North America (ENGIE), a leader in energy transition, the canopy structure atop the parking garage servicing Newark Liberty’s new Terminal A features 12,708 solar panels covering 364,000 square feet, which is the equivalent of more than six football fields. The 5-MW solar project will generate enough energy to power approximately 833 homes.
“ENGIE is proud to support the Port Authority’s ambitious sustainability targets, aligned with our mission to accelerate the global transition toward net-zero carbon,” said Stefaan Sercu, ENGIE’s chief energy solutions officer. “Our team is excited to be an integral part of the Port Authority’s modern approach to becoming a more sustainable airport with the largest solar project build out of any airport structure in the country, while improving operations efficiency and reducing emissions.”
Additionally, the parking garage features more than 150 electric vehicle chargers for public use. To help reduce cost and lower energy utilization, the charging stations feature sophisticated load management software so that charging will be shared smartly from the garage’s solar energy and ensures appropriate power output for the number of cars and the duration someone will be parking there.
In 2020, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners authorized the development, construction, and operation of New York state’s largest onsite solar plus storage system at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The JFK solar installation will create a carport canopy with solar panels on top of the southern section of the airport’s Long Term Parking Lot 9, providing covered parking to approximately 3,000 parking spaces. The 12.3-MW solar energy system includes 7.5 MW of battery storage, which will provide enhanced resilience to AirTrain JFK. With construction expected to begin in 2023, the project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 5,300 metric tons annually and the solar-generated electricity provided to the grid will serve low-income residents who may be eligible to receive credits on utility bills through the New York state community solar program.
Similarly, the Port Authority installed more than 3,500 solar panels on the rooftop of the newly built parking garage on the western side of LaGuardia Airport, which produces more than 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable energy annually as part of the agency’s net-zero emissions targets announced in 2021.
As part of the redevelopment of John F. Kennedy International Airport, the future New Terminal One will feature a rooftop array and integrated microgrid to help reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The panels — some 13,000 of them — will feed energy into an 11.34-MW microgrid. Each of the system’s four “power islands” is designed to function as an integrated energy system; together, the microgrid will boast 7.66 MW of rooftop solar power, 3.68 MW of natural gas fuel cells, and 4 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage. Reclaimed heat will be used to chill and heat water. The rooftop’s photovoltaic array alone can create enough electricity to power 1,039 average U.S. homes for a year.
Newark Liberty’s new Terminal A has been designed and constructed to achieve LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and features a variety of sustainability features including water efficient fixtures saving more than 45 percent on potable water demand, a “cool roof” and light-colored pavements to reduce heat gain on the building and heat-island effect on the surrounding environment, energy-efficient indoor lighting and controls, solar photovoltaic system on the western entrance canopy, materials with recycled content and regionally procured, low-emitting materials and paints to improve indoor air quality.
Terminal A was also designed to withstand today’s 100-year flood plus projected future sea level rise.
Revolutionizing ground operations, the Port Authority airports are also providing infrastructure to support electric ground support equipment (GSE) as well as new electric buses to support shuttle operations. On-site solar and other renewable energy initiatives are among seven key areas that the agency’s overall sustainability program encompasses, along with clean electric vehicles; energy efficiency; “green” facilities; clean ship practices for ocean-going vessels; offshore wind and partnering to combat climate change.
A variety of solar projects are across Port Authority facilities, include a 600-kilowatt solar roof on a PATH warehouse rooftop. Click here for more information.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency that builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. For over a century, the agency’s network of major airports; critical bridges, tunnels and bus terminals; a commuter rail line; and the busiest seaport on the East Coast has been among the most vital in the country – transporting hundreds of millions of people and moving essential goods into and out of the region. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center campus, which today welcomes tens of thousands of office workers and millions of annual visitors. The agency’s historic $37 billion 10-year capital plan includes unprecedented transformation of the region’s three major airports – LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and JFK – as well as an array of other new and upgraded assets, including the $2 billion renovation of the 90-year-old George Washington Bridge. The Port Authority’s annual budget of $8 billion includes no tax revenue from either the states of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, visit www.panynj.gov or check out the Now Arriving blog.
Agency Issues Request for Proposals for Project Planning, Architecture, and Engineering
Vision Plan Advances an Airport Transformation Already Under Way with Construction of New Terminal A, New AirTrain, and Parking Garage/Centralized Rental Car Facility
March 28, 2023
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a master planner to oversee architectural, planning, engineering, and business development services for the next phase of the redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), a key part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to creating a new world-class airport.
Under the direction of the EWR Vision Project Team, the planning consultant will establish a far-reaching strategy for the future layout of Newark Liberty by anticipating facility and customer demands, identifying new areas for construction and redevelopment, pinpointing potential sustainability and resilience programs, and laying out all other key elements of a master plan for the airport.
The selected firm will be asked to evaluate Newark Liberty’s current capacity to accommodate passenger and cargo growth, and to deliver a comprehensive framework in the near-, medium-, and long- term to meet future aviation demand, up to the year 2065. An important planning element will be the analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the airport’s travel volumes and customer demands in the near and longer terms.
For a copy of the RFP, click here: EWR Vision Plan RFP
“The reimagining and renovation of Newark Liberty International Airport will be a gamechanger for the state and the region’s status as a transportation hub,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “The Newark Liberty Vision Plan will continue making improvements that build on New Jersey’s strategic location and improve the travel experience for the millions of people who make their way through Newark Airport every year.”
“Today marks another bold step forward in the Port Authority’s effort to reimagine what EWR can be,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The aim of the Newark Liberty Vision Plan is nothing less than the creation of a stunning, world class gateway that delivers best-in-class facilities for our passengers and further enhances the airport’s economic importance to the region.”
“We continue to move toward a modern, state-of-the-art Newark Liberty Airport that delivers for our travelers at the highest level,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “With this next phase of the redevelopment of Newark Liberty, we are creating a new vision for the airport to serve air passengers at a world-class level in the decades ahead.”
Pre-pandemic, Newark Liberty ranked as the nation’s 12th busiest airport in total passengers, with 33 airlines serving more than 47.5 million customers in 2019 offering non-stop service to more than 160 destinations globally. Newark Liberty also serves as a powerful economic engine for the region, with about 23,000 people employed in airport-related jobs.
Newark Liberty is in the midst of an airport-wide transformation with three major projects on the books and underway, totaling about $5.3 billion in public and private investment.
First, a new Terminal A is scheduled to open later this year. Measuring more than one million square feet, the $2.7 billion facility — the largest design-build project in New Jersey history – is in the final stages of construction. It is replacing the outdated current Terminal A and incorporating a new roadway access network and additional terminal-front parking once completed. The new Terminal A represents the largest single investment in New Jersey by the Port Authority in the agency’s 100-year history.
Second, a new privately financed Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRac) facility combined with Port Authority-funded public parking also is in the final stages of construction with a partial opening scheduled for later this year and a full opening in 2023.
Third, the Port Authority is moving forward with development of a $2.05 billion Newark Liberty AirTrain to replace the current outdated AirTrain.
Vision planners also will also be looking beyond the airport proper, seeking ways to enhance the quality of life for nearby residents and to increase the economic value of the airport to the region by maximizing job creation and economic opportunities in Newark, Elizabeth, and throughout the Port District.
In addition, planning consultants will be developing strategies for more operationally efficient parking facilities, road access and potential creation of new Ground Transportation Center (GTC) facilities to meet current and future needs. Experts hired to conduct the study will also be asked to identify new, cutting-edge technology resources to improve the customer experience and wayfinding capabilities.
Contact:
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
212-435-7777
[email protected]
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency that builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. For over a century, the agency’s network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the states of New York or New Jersey or from the city of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information or for updates from the Now Arriving blog, please visit https://www.panynj.gov/blog.
PORT AUTHORITY ADVANCES PLAN TO REPLACE AIRTRAIN NEWARK WITH SELECTION OF THREE FIRMS AS PART OF MULTI-PHASE PROCUREMENT PROCESS
March 23, 2023
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced it has selected three automated-people-mover (APM) system technology firms to advance to the next phase of a multi-phase procurement process to replace the existing AirTrain Newark system at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with a new 2.5-mile automated train system.
The three shortlisted firms are:
- Alstom Transport USA Inc.
- DCCCA1 Inc. (Doppelmayr)
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America Inc.
The shortlisted firms were selected as a result of a publicly advertised Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that was published on Dec. 8, 2022. For additional details about the RFQ, click here.
As part of the Port Authority’s ongoing commitment to modernizing Newark Liberty International Airport, AirTrain Newark will be replaced through a multi-phase procurement process including the design and construction of the new AirTrain’s APM system technology, and the operations and maintenance of the components necessary for a new fully functional, world-class AirTrain. Also included in this first phase are the procurement processes for the furnishing, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of the system technology.
Additional procurement phases in the AirTrain Newark Replacement program may include, but are not limited to, the following separate contract packages:
- Early works packages
- Design package
- 2.5-mile elevated guideway structure and three stations including back-of-house areas
- Maintenance and control facility for the system technology equipment
- Pedestrian connections from stations to existing airport facilities
For the APM system technology opportunity, the Port Authority will be conducting a virtual Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB), and Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Industry Outreach Forum for the AirTrain Newark Replacement program – system technology project on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Interested attendees can register here.
“The Port Authority’s airports are the gateways to the world and play a significant role in the region’s economy,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As air travel demands continue to grow, this agency is committed to making necessary investments, including spending billions of dollars to modernize our airports and their transportation assets like the AirTrain.”
“The AirTrain is a critical part of Newark Liberty’s operations, and the existing system is nearing the end of its useful life,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “It is imperative to build a new 21st century AirTrain to serve the new world-class terminals that we are building at Newark Liberty.”
Debuted in 1996, the existing AirTrain Newark system has become outmoded and unreliable. The current system carries an average of 26,000 passengers per day or nearly 10 million passengers per year. It provides access to the co-located Newark International Airport station on NJ Transit and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor lines and provides customers and employees with the ability to transfer among airport terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities. The Federal Aviation Administration granted final environmental approval for a replacement of AirTrain Newark on Aug. 13, 2021.
About Newark Liberty International Airport Redevelopment:
The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International that began with the recently completed $2.7 billion Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The next phase of this transformation will be developed through the work of a recently selected world-class airport master planner.
The agency’s EWR Vision Plan — which serves as a framework for future development through 2065 – will provide for long-term economic growth, incorporate sustainability projects in every element of the development plan and provide multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.
Most recently, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR Station Access Project, which is expected to increase public transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for the underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s (NJT) direct Northeast Corridor services. The authorization is for planning and preliminary design work for a new multimodal facility at the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station serving EWR. The project will leverage existing transportation assets, including Amtrak, NJT and AirTrain Newark rail service, in a cost-effective way to improve access, mobility and regional connectivity for the neighboring airport communities of Newark and Elizabeth.
Visit www.anewEWR.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement program and other EWR redevelopment projects.
Board Authorizes $12 Million for Planning, Design Work to Increase Transit Options and Community Connectivity for Historically Disadvantaged Communities in Cities of Newark and Elizabeth
Newark Airport Station Access Project to Deliver Many of the Community Benefits of Planned Extension of PATH to Newark Liberty Faster and at Fraction of Cost
March 16, 2023
Today, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR Station Access Project, which is expected to increase public transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and New York City for the underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s (NJT) direct Northeast Corridor services.
The authorization is for planning and preliminary design work for a new multimodal facility at the AirTrain Newark Rail Link Station serving EWR. The project will leverage existing transportation assets, including Amtrak, NJT and AirTrain Newark rail service, in a cost-effective way to improve access, mobility and regional connectivity for the neighboring airport communities of Newark and Elizabeth.
“When completed, the EWR Station Access Project will further promote public transportation use and efficiency in two of New Jersey’s largest cities,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Enhancing connectivity means expanding opportunity – opportunity that for far too long has remained out of reach for historically excluded communities in our state. While connecting residents to our world-class transportation network and airport, this project will also catalyze economic activity and generate good-paying jobs for hard-working New Jerseyans.”
“Access to public transportation is vital to expanding economic opportunities,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “For decades, the communities of the South Ward of Newark and the northern part of Elizabeth have lacked affordable transit options, particularly to Newark Liberty and New York City. This project is an example of government at its best by figuring out a way to deliver a project faster and for less money while also putting thousands of well-paying jobs within reach. Newark Liberty itself serves as a powerful economic engine for the region, with about 19,250 people directly employed at the airport.”
“This Board action enables the agency to move forward with plans to connect the surrounding communities of Newark Liberty with an enhanced transit network that is accessible, integrated, efficient and sustainable,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This project can help alleviate inequities in the transportation system caused by transit structures that obstruct rather than facilitate easy connections, including in this case one-seat rides into Manhattan.”
“The Board of Commissioners’ diligence in meticulous planning and design is entirely in keeping with the way Newark has been moving forward for years. We appreciate the importance of collecting hard data and harnessing knowledge to maximize a positive impact on our quality of life,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “This project benefits all passengers going in and out of Newark Liberty Airport, but I especially commend Port Authority and its partners for their dedication to the residents of our South and East wards who will enjoy access to fast, affordable, state-of-the-art commuter rail transportation. Contributing to a more robust economy and job market in Newark, this project is as much an economic imperative as it is a moral imperative – and we are grateful for the Board’s commitment to equity and equality.”
“I applaud the Port Authority of NY/NJ for taking this critical step, as opening up access is the start of creating economic opportunities for residents in the South Ward,” said Newark Councilman Patrick Council. “This venture will also help create travel options that will satisfy a need in the community and be welcoming to residents and visitors alike.”
“We are excited by the proposed $12 million in Port Authority funding to initiate design work on the community access project to the Northeast Corridor station at the airport,” said William O’Dea, executive director of the Elizabeth Development Company. “Linking working class neighborhoods to easy access to New York City and several other urban areas in New Jersey is critical to advancing economic and employment opportunities for these residents. We are also hopeful that the project itself will create opportunities for local MWBEs and result in community givebacks.”
“New Jerseyans, particularly residents of Newark, Elizabeth and the surrounding local communities, deserve secure, reliable and affordable public transportation so they can safely access Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City through Newark Amtrak and NJ Transit stations,” said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. “These critical infrastructure investments are necessary to ensure all communities, especially those traditionally underserved, remain connected in a swift and cost-effective manner that also creates thousands of good-paying jobs. I applaud the Port Authority for taking this initial step and look forward to working with them to turn this project into a reality.”
“Many New Jerseyans, especially in communities in and around Newark, rely on affordable, accessible public transit to get to the airport, New York City, and other parts of our region,” said U.S. Sen. Cory Booker. “I am encouraged by the Port Authority’s commitment to improving access to Newark airport and Newark Penn Station for residents of Newark’s South Ward and northern parts of Elizabeth. Infrastructure projects like this should strive to enhance regional connectivity, save New Jerseyans time and money, and increase economic opportunity.”
“I am pleased that the Port Authority is expanding community access to the Newark Airport train station,” said U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. “I have been working to get federal funds to expand the station’s access and this project will help workers in my district get to their airport and rail service jobs faster. Right now, residents in Newark’s South Ward and North Elizabeth require a lengthy bus ride before they can board trains. I wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently to support the Port Authority’s grant application to make this project a reality. I look forward to working with federal and local officials to help the Port Authority continue to make travel more efficient for all area passengers.”
“The EWR Station Access Project will make a marked improvement in the lives of Elizabeth and Newark residents who utilize Newark Liberty International Airport’s AirTrain Newark Rail Link Station,” said U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez. “This project will provide our residents with expanded access to the airport, as well as NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak trains, making it easier for them to get where they need to go. Thank you to Governor Murphy, the Port Authority, its dedicated Board led by Chairman O’Toole, and its incredible staff for investing in our district and our communities.”
“Today the Port Authority has made a profound investment in both the city of Newark and the region as a whole,” said New Jersey Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “For many years, the Legislature has worked to ensure that communities such as the South Ward be considered as high priority areas and included in the Port Authority’s multi-phase plan. With this investment, many lives will be changed by improving transit access and connectivity for so many families. This will create a stronger and more vibrant economic development footprint. It will afford families greater accessibility and opportunities. Change is possible, and today, we celebrate on a promise delivered.”
“Public transportation is about moving people around in a more efficient, affordable manner,” said New Jersey State Senator Joseph Cryan. “The Newark (EWR) station Access Project will provide the residents of Elizabeth and Newark a one-seat ride into NYC and easier access to Newark Liberty airport for commuters and travelers alike. I am grateful that the PANYNJ has recognized the transportation needs of my constituents in District 20 and is moving forward with a commonsense plan.”
“The Newark Liberty International Airport Access Project at NEC is both welcome and long awaited by the residents who live adjacent to the airport but have not had easy access to it. For the local community members who either work at the airport, or who fly out of it, this project meets the need and provides a significant benefit. I look forward to working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the EWR redevelopment as it plans for the future. The Access Project is an important first step,” said New Jersey Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin.
“As an assemblywoman in the 29th Legislative District, I am excited to see the improvements that are being made by the Port Authority Board of Commissioners to increase access to public transportation to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This new initiative would play an important role for New Jerseyans who are unable to drive, including those without access to personal vehicles, elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. The EWR Station Access will result in less pollution resulting in improved air quality, fewer cars on the road, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This project is important and necessary in the city of Newark and I look forward to seeing the EWR Station Access plan implemented,” said New Jersey Assemblywoman Shanique Speight.
“Investments in accessible transportation are critical to ensuring all of our communities have the ability to thrive. Whether it’s improving access to get to the airport, or bringing down commute times, the Port Authority’s ongoing work to improve community connectivity to historically disadvantaged communities is an exciting show of progress for our communities,” said New Jersey Assemblywoman Annette Quijano.
“Great things are achieved when we invest in creating opportunities for everyone, especially those who have been underserved. The $12 million investment for the EWR Station Access Project is not just about improving public transit access, it’s a big win because it’s also about creating a pathway for success in Newark and Elizabeth. Investments in projects that uplift and empower our community builds a brighter future for all,” said New Jersey Assemblyman Reginald Atkins.
“The EWR Station Access Project is a vital step towards improving access to Newark Liberty Airport, downtown Newark and New York City. Improving mobility in Newark’s Dayton neighborhood is also critical to increasing economic opportunity for one of the lowest-income communities in the region. RPA applauds the Port Authority for prioritizing this investment and maintaining the option of a PATH extension to the station at a future date,” said Tom Wright, CEO and President of Regional Plan Association.
The scope of authorized work includes the development of project concepts and progress of design for selected alternatives, National Environmental Policy Act review, as well as cost estimating and construction scheduling services to develop and refine project cost and schedule baselines. Plans also include support for extensive external stakeholder outreach with an emphasis on seeking input from the surrounding community, the analysis of project delivery approaches and legal services to support due diligence and right of entry for property acquisition.
The EWR Station Access Project, which increases public transit access to Newark Penn Station, significantly reduces travel time for Newark and Elizabeth residents to/from New York City or Newark Liberty, particularly when local traffic conditions are unreliable. The plan will also advance goals to support safe and efficient access to the existing transit services for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as via personal vehicles, public buses, shuttles, for-hire vehicles and taxis. The project will also provide ease of connection for local residents who are airport employees and travelers.
Comparatively, it can take Newark and Elizabeth residents about 40 minutes to reach EWR via bus, whereas the trip from Amtrak and NJT’s co-located Newark International Airport station on their Northeast Corridor (NEC) lines to AirTrain Newark takes only about 9 minutes, or rail trips to Newark Penn Station on existing trains from the NEC station link reliably take about 7 minutes. The project will also improve connections to PATH train service from Newark Penn Station for access to job centers in Jersey City and Manhattan, while spurring transit-oriented development around the NEC station serving the airport consistent with local community-driven planning efforts.
EWR access has been a vocal request of community members for many years, most recently expressed during the agency’s EWR Vision Plan community outreach sessions. The plan serves as a framework for future development through 2065 and makes recommendations for both short- and long-term projects while emphasizing EWR as a world-class gateway for New Jersey. Under the plan, EWR will provide long-term economic growth, incorporate sustainability projects in every element of the development plan, and provide multimodal access, such as this project, to the airport for both work and travel.
The EWR Station Access Project was engineered to deliver many of the community benefits of a PATH rail extension to the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station faster and at a significantly reduced cost. The PATH rail extension, as originally outlined in the agency’s 2017-2026 Capital Plan, relies on more than $700 million in anticipated grants that have yet to be secured. The EWR Station Access Project is preliminarily estimated to cost $125 million (subject to change based on the results of the planning work authorized today). With the EWR Station Access project capable of delivering the PATH rail extension’s ambitions for local community access to New York City and Newark Liberty, and the current funding shortfall for the project, the PATH rail extension is being deferred to a future capital plan.
The airport contributes more than $29.3 billion in annual economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, supporting more than 128,000 total jobs and nearly $10.8 billion in annual wages.
While the planning, environmental review, design, public outreach and participation processes continue, the Port Authority will seek federal grant funding and value-capture opportunities for the EWR Station Access Project. As part of the project financial plan, the agency has applied for $45 million in construction grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program.
For details on the EWR Station Access Project, please click here.
Map of regional transit links to EWR and connections to the Northeast Corridor train line. Credit: PANYNJ
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency that builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. For over a century, the agency’s network of major airports; critical bridges, tunnels and bus terminals; a commuter rail line; and the busiest seaport on the East Coast has been among the most vital in the country – transporting hundreds of millions of people and moving essential goods into and out of the region. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center campus, which today welcomes tens of thousands of office workers and millions of annual visitors. The agency’s historic $37 billion 10-year capital plan includes unprecedented transformation of the region’s three major airports – LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and JFK – as well as an array of other new and upgraded assets, including the $2 billion renovation of the 90-year-old George Washington Bridge. The Port Authority’s annual budget of $8 billion includes no tax revenue from either the states of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, visit www.panynj.gov or check out the Now Arriving blog.
PORT AUTHORITY CELEBRATES FIRST FLIGHTS IN AND OUT OF NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW TERMINAL A
Jan. 12, 2023
New $2.7 Billion Terminal A is Officially Open for Operations
State-of-the-Art 1 Million Square Foot, 33-Gate Terminal ─ the Largest Design-Build Project in New Jersey History ─ Boasts 21st Century Technology, Inspiring Public Art, and World-Renowned Retailers and Locally Inspired Concessions
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced the operational opening of the $2.7 billion new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, representing the largest single investment in New Jersey in the agency’s history.
The new Terminal A, which replaces an outmoded terminal that first opened in 1973, features state-of-the-art passenger amenities, local artwork, digital technology and dining and retail options provided by nearly 60 regional, national and global brands, including six retailers from Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City. The terminal features approximately 1 million square feet of space and offers 33 gates to handle larger aircraft, as well as a modernized common-use check-in area, security and baggage claim areas expected to efficiently handle an estimated 13.6 million passengers a year. In addition to the new terminal, the $3.3 billion Newark Liberty redevelopment program also includes a $400 million integrated public parking garage with new centralized rental car facilities, and $175 million for south airfield paving.
“It is my honor to unveil to the world the largest single investment in New Jersey in the Port Authority’s history, as well as the most considerable infrastructure investment I have had the privilege of overseeing during my administration,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Since Day One, I have championed transformative upgrades to our pivotal transportation network, which connects New Jerseyans not just to our American and global neighbors, but to the economic opportunities afforded by these crucial relationships and exchanges. Every visitor to Newark Liberty will enter a facility that is operationally efficient, visually appealing, and – most importantly – quintessentially Jersey.”
“Newark Liberty’s new Terminal A will serve as a stunning showcase of the art, history and cuisine of the Garden State,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This new terminal reflects the best of our region, and with monthly air passenger levels across the agency’s regional airports at record highs, the operational opening of this beautiful new terminal could not have come at a better time.”
“The first airport operations out of the world-class Terminal A mark a truly historic milestone for Newark Liberty,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This is an important step forward in our vision to transform the airport into a state-of-the-art gateway to the world. We are committed to continue elevating the passenger experience by building modern, 21st century facilities like this terminal, delivering superior amenities and a real new Jersey sense of place.”
“The long-awaited upgrade of Terminal A is a major modernization and a place where all can enjoy before or even after a flight,” said Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage. “I was proud to be there welcoming flyers coming off the first arrival and into Elizabeth. Passengers can now walk through the new terminal and see local references, from art to shopping, and of course a place to stay in our hotels. Elizabeth is prepared to show the millions of travelers that will visit annually, what this City has to offer.”
“When it was opened in 1928, Newark Airport was the first such facility in the tri-state area, which made it a pioneering and cutting-edge facility from the start,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “Nearly 100 years later, Newark Liberty International Airport is still a pioneering and cutting-edge facility, offering worldwide flights, world-class amenities, and first-rate customer service. Today’s opening of Terminal A will add to that proud tradition of excellence and provide jobs and career opportunities for Newark residents. I congratulate the Port Authority and its entire team on this achievement.”
“My team at Munich Airport NJ LLC and I are very proud of the launch of this innovative, passenger-focused terminal,” said Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport. “Terminal A is a genuine commitment to New Jersey and also represents a new, unique kind of airport experience. I look forward to passengers exploring the thoughtful sense of place presented through exceptional food and beverage offerings, artwork and immersive technology.”
Travelers are greeted by inspiring public art as they move through the new terminal, which showcases the work of 29 local artists with unique art installations that support the Port Authority’s vision for a transformative customer experience offering a distinctive New Jersey sense of place. Complementing the comprehensive public art program is an immersive digital journey, created by multimedia studio Moment Factory, that showcases the Garden State’s renowned landmarks, art, and innovations through a series of permanent large-scale multimedia installations.
In this first phase, 21 gates will be utilized by Air Canada, American Airlines, jetBlue and United Airlines with the remaining 12 gates scheduled to become operational later this year. Additionally, Delta Air Lines will move its operations in the second phase.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Terminal A is expected to generate more than $4.6 billion in regional economic activity, create more than 2,500 jobs and provide more than $1.9 billion in wages. As of June 2022, the Terminal A program had awarded 94 sub-contracts to minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) totaling more than $686 million and $213 million for 92 sub-contracts to New Jersey firms.
Newark Liberty currently provides jobs for approximately 19,250 people directly employed at the airport. It contributes more than $29.3 billion in annual economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, supporting more than 128,000 total jobs and nearly $10.8 billion in annual wages.
ABOUT NEWARK LIBERTY REDEVELOPMENTThe recently completed Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport is the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The next phase of this transformation will be developed through the work of a recently selected world-renowned airport master planner.
The Port Authority is also committed to building a brand-new AirTrain Newark system, which is an integral part of modernizing and improving Newark Liberty. The current system, which is reaching the end of its useful life, carries on average 26,000 passengers per day or nearly 10 million passengers per year. It provides access to the Northeast Corridor Rail Link Station and provides customers and employees with the ability to transfer between terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities.
Additional information on the new Terminal A (here) and photos of the new terminal are available (here). For additional information and travel tips, visit the airport’s website (here).
Visit www.anewEWR.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement Program and redevelopment projects.
STATEMENT FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
Jan. 5, 2023
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today released the following statement from Director of Corporate Communications Thomas Pietrykoski:
“The Port Authority is pleased to announce that the first flights in and out of Newark Liberty’s new, world-class Terminal A will commence on January 12th. We look forward to welcoming passengers to this magnificent, state-of-the-art facility, where they will enjoy best-in-class functionality, inspiring public art, delicious local concessions, and a transformative experience from curb to gate.”
PORT AUTHORITY ADVANCES COMMITMENT TO BUILDING NEW WORLD-CLASS, 21st CENTURY AIRTRAIN AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Agency Issues Request for Qualifications for the Replacement of the AirTrain Newark System
Dec. 8, 2022
As part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to modernizing Newark Liberty International Airport, the agency issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) today for the replacement of the AirTrain Newark system with a new 2.5-mile elevated guideway train system.
The first phase, part of a multi-phase procurement process, includes the design and construction of the new AirTrain’s system technology, and the operations and maintenance of the components necessary for a fully functional, world-class AirTrain. Also included in the first phase are the furnishing, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of the system technology.
The systems technology Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued to the shortlisted proposers in first quarter of 2023.
“Debuted in 1996, the existing system has become outmoded and unreliable over the years, and we want to ensure that the new system provides a high level of service that our airport customers and employees deserve,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The first phase of the procurement process is a critical step in advancing our commitment to delivering a new system designed to provide best-in-class standards for reliability, comfort, and convenience using 21st century technology.”
“We are committed to building a brand-new AirTrain Newark system, which is an integral part of modernizing and improving Newark Airport,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “A new rail link – which is a perfect complement to the new world-class Terminal A – will enhance the travel experience with seamless connections and quick access to the airport, as well as the new parking garage and consolidated rental car facility.”
AirTrain Newark, which is reaching the end of its useful life, is a critical component of the operation of Newark Liberty International Airport. The current system carries on average 26,000 passengers per day or nearly 10 million passengers per year. It provides access to the Northeast Corridor Rail Link Station and provides customers and employees with the ability to transfer between terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities.
Additional procurement phases in the AirTrain Newark Replacement Program may include, but are not limited to, the following separate contract packages:
- Early works packages
- Design package
- 2.5-mile elevated guideway structure and three stations including back of house areas
- Maintenance and control facility for the system technology equipment
- Pedestrian connections from stations to existing airport facilities
ABOUT NEWARK LIBERTY REDEVELOPMENT
The recently completed Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport is the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The next phase of this transformation will be developed through the work of a recently selected world-class airport master planner.
The $2.7 billion investment for a new Terminal A represents the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s largest-ever design-build project in the state of New Jersey. The new Terminal A replaces the outmoded existing terminal that first opened in 1973. The 33-gate facility features state-of-the-art digital technology, modern passenger amenities, and superior dining and retail options offered by nearly 60 regional, national, and global brands. Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City retailers are among the locally owned and operated concessionaires. The retail and food/beverage offerings will be tailored to the needs and requirements of domestic passengers.
The terminal has approximately 1 million square feet of space and will be able to handle larger aircraft with modernized common-use check-in, security, and baggage claim areas that can efficiently serve 13.6 million passengers a year. A new integrated parking facility with approximately 2,700 public parking spaces and consolidated car rental location directly connects to the New Terminal A via a climate-controlled pedestrian bridge. The multi-level garage is designed to be naturally ventilated and will provide convenient public parking and access to car rental companies all centralized at one location. The parking facility is expected to open by the end of the year and will feature innovative technology to allow travelers to enter and exit quickly and hassle-free.
Additional information on the new Terminal A here and photos of the new terminal are available here.
Please visit www.anewEWR.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement Program and redevelopment projects. For additional details about the RFQ, click here.
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY, PORT AUTHORITY LEADERS, STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS CELEBRATE NEW $2.7 BILLION TERMINAL A AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
On November 15, 2022
At 1 Million Square Feet, State-of-the-Art Terminal with 33 Gates Represents Largest Design-Build Project in New Jersey History and Most Significant Infrastructure Project Completed During Murphy Administration
Comprehensive Public Art Program Features Unique Installations Supporting Port Authority’s Vision of a Transformative, World-Class Customer Experience and a New Jersey Sense of Place
New Terminal A Expected to Generate More Than $4.6B in Regional Economic Activity, Create More Than 2,500 Jobs and Provide More Than $1.9B in Wages
Next Phase of Newark Liberty’s Transformation Will Be Developed by Recently Selected World-Class Airport Master Planner
Photos of New Terminal Available Here
Governor Phil Murphy joined Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole, Executive Director Rick Cotton, airport stakeholders, and New Jersey elected officials today to celebrate the opening of the new Terminal A, the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish Newark Liberty International Airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The new terminal represents the largest design-build project in New Jersey history and testifies to Governor Murphy’s ongoing commitment to critical infrastructure and transportation projects that will benefit New Jerseyans for generations to come.
The $2.7 billion terminal, which will replace an outmoded Terminal A that first opened in 1973, features state-of-the-art passenger amenities, dazzling artwork, digital technology and dining and retail options provided by 60 regional, national and global brands, including six retailers from Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City. The terminal features approximately 1 million square feet of space and offers 33 gates to handle larger aircraft, as well as a modernized common-use check-in area, security and baggage claim areas expected to efficiently handle an estimated 13.6 million passengers a year. In addition to the new terminal, the $3.3 billion Newark Liberty redevelopment program also includes a $400 million integrated public parking garage with new centralized rental car facilities, and $175 million for south airfield paving.
“Today’s unveiling of Terminal A marks the culmination of the largest infrastructure project I have had the honor of overseeing during my administration, as well as the realization of our vision for a state founded upon sound infrastructure and fueled by economic opportunity,” said Governor Murphy. “From uniquely New Jersey concessions to innovative public art installations and world-class facilities, Terminal A is revolutionizing travel in a state that has always been – and always will be – a model for the rest of the nation to follow. Just as importantly, while Terminal A’s transformation solidifies Newark Liberty’s status as a regional and international transportation hub, it will also spur billions of dollars in economic activity and generate the good-paying jobs upon which our communities depend.”
“Today, we celebrate the much-anticipated grand opening of Newark Liberty International Airport’s newly redeveloped Terminal A, which will provide travelers with a safer, more comfortable, and more welcoming gateway to our great state. It will not be just a holding chamber for the millions of travelers who annually fly through the airport, but rather a truly captivating experience for all ages, from the art installations to the modern technology to the state-of-the-art facilities,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Terminal A will also be a place of opportunity for the minority and women-owned businesses that will call the Terminal their home, and the thousands of additional jobs generated from its opening. I am excited to know that all traveling through Terminal A will experience the best of the best that New Jersey has to offer.”
“Newark Liberty serves a vital role in the region’s economy, and we are committed to enhancing the passenger experience by transforming the airport into one of the premier airports in the world,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This is New Jersey’s largest design-build project, creating opportunities within the local community that is resulting in thousands of jobs to deliver a world-class facility.”
“Newark Airport’s new Terminal A is a world-class 21st century marvel, with cutting edge check-in, security, and touchless e-gate technology. Public art, iconic concessions and highly original digital displays also create an unmistakable New Jersey sense of place,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “The new Terminal A at Newark is a shining example of the Port Authority’s commitment to build inspiring and appealing world-class transportation facilities for the region.”
“The cornerstone of this terminal is the strong team work between the Port Authority and the team of experts from Germany’s premium hub”, Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers states. “Our legacy as Europe’s first 5-Star Airport will be the guiding principle for this Terminal. We congratulate the Port Authority to this outstanding infrastructure project. We are opening an airport terminal that will set new standards in the US and global airport world. The Port Authority together with Munich Airport have created an infrastructure facility that will incorporate a unique Passenger Experience. It will be a benchmark of the entire American airport industry.”
Terminal A is expected to generate more than $4.6 billion in regional economic activity, create more than 2,500 jobs and provide more than $1.9 billion in wages. As of June 2022, the Terminal A program had awarded 94 sub-contracts to minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) totaling more than $686 million and $213 million for 92 sub-contracts to New Jersey firms.
In addition to the recruitment of certified MWBEs, the Port Authority maintained its commitment to keep the host communities engaged and informed by offering more than 500 events since the introduction of the community outreach offices four years ago. Programming included resources and training for the local business community, as well as a series of job readiness workshops and job fairs. The EWR redevelopment programs community outreach teams, both in Newark and Elizabeth, have engaged and informed more than 2,100 local businesses offering information on the Terminal A program.
Newark Liberty currently provides jobs for approximately 19,250 people directly employed at the airport. It contributes more than $29.3 billion in annual economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, supporting more than 128,000 total jobs and nearly $10.8 billion in annual wages.
Port Authority partnered with Xovis, a global leader in 3D sensors and software, to equip the new terminal with state-of-the-art technology to meet the passenger needs of the modern era. Xovis sensor technology will be employed at check-in and security, smart restrooms, waypoints, and departure gate doors – all to help reduce wait times, increase overall efficiency of operations, and improve the customer experience.
Inspiring public art will greet passengers as they move through the new terminal, which showcases the work of 29 local artists with unique art installations that support the Port Authority’s vision for a transformative customer experience offering a distinctive New Jersey sense of place. Complementing the comprehensive public art program is an immersive digital journey, created by multimedia studio Moment Factory, that captivates passengers with the Garden State’s renowned landmarks, art, and innovations through a series of permanent large-scale multimedia installations.
In keeping with the Port Authority’s sustainability goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its facilities by 80 percent by 2050, the new terminal features a variety of sustainable design initiatives including integral solar panels on the curbside glass canopy and roof of the integrated parking structure, new electric buses to support shuttle operations, water-efficient fixtures, a “cool roof,” and energy-efficient indoor lighting and controls.
The new terminal also includes many family-friendly amenities to enhance the overall customer experience. Inspired by many of New Jersey’s greats — Thomas Edison, Bruce Springsteen, Carl Lewis, Patrick Ewing — the children’s play areas are also themed by music and arts, science, and sports. In keeping with the beautiful landscapes of New Jersey, the bathrooms are designed with various themes such as the woodland theme of the Garden State, the coastal shores, as well as the metropolitan chic. Terminal A features a variety of seating to accommodate the needs of today’s passengers that are versatile including tandem and soft seating, lounges, benches, and workstations equipped with charging stations in various areas.
The reimagined EWR Terminal A includes a cutting edge, digital media program designed in partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor’s airport division. Locally based New Jersey brands, with global and national recognition, including Audible, Rutgers University and Atlantic Health System, are the first advertisers to enter this new airport media space where they will reach millions of passengers annually leveraging the latest in digital and printed display technology.
Today’s opening ceremony advances the Port Authority’s vision to transform Newark Liberty into a world class gateway for the New Jersey/New York region. The next phase of this transformation will be developed through the work of a recently selected world-class airport master planner.
The new Terminal A was designed and built by Tutor Perini/Parsons, with work completed in phases to minimize customer inconvenience. After completion of a series of system tests, 21 gates will open later this month and the remaining 12 gates will be fully operational in 2023. Internationally recognized airport operator Munich Airport NJ will oversee operations, maintenance and concession functions.
For more information and images regarding the Terminal A project, please visit the airport’s webpage at https://www.ewrredevelopment.com.
Download the online press kit with image gallery here.
PORT AUTHORITY COMMEMORATES LOCAL HERO WITH STREET NAMING AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
On November 16, 2022
Roadway in Front of New Terminal A to be Named in Honor of the Late Tuskegee Airman, Colonel Lawrence E. Roberts
A new roadway servicing the new world-class Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport will be named Col. Roberts Road in honor of New Jersey native Colonel Lawrence E. Roberts, who was a member of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen program, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced at an event today.
The tribute to Roberts was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring a presentation by Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole to members of the Roberts family, including his daughter, ABC’s “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts.
“As the Port Authority moves forward in reimagining this airport, we have a commitment to building on the rich history of this state and its people,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Naming this street after New Jersey-born Colonel Roberts pays tribute to his achievements, bravery and contributions that not only impacted our communities but shaped our nation’s history.”
“Colonel Roberts lived a full, rich life dedicated to serving others and our great nation,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “With an estimated 13.6 million passengers a year expected to travel through this new terminal, immortalizing his contributions by dedicating this street to him is a testament to his great legacy.”
“We knew it was only appropriate to have this new access road named in honor of someone who gave so much not only to aviation, but to our state and our country,” said James Gill, the Port Authority’s general manager of New Jersey airports.
Born and raised not far from Newark Liberty in Vauxhall, N.J., on Dec. 9, 1922, Roberts dreamed of flying. In 1943, the future airman entered the United States Army Air Corps at Keesler Air Force Base and was later assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen program in 1944. He dedicated 32 years to military service.
Beyond his service as a Tuskegee Airman, Roberts was an aviation and civic pioneer who fought for civil rights and desegregation. He was instrumental in convincing U.S. President Harry Truman to desegregate the U.S. military in 1948 and helped to inspire the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Married to Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts for 57 years, they had four children: Lawrence E. Roberts III, Sally-Ann Roberts Nabonne, Dorothy Roberts, and Robin Roberts. He was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Roberts attended Howard University, received his bachelor’s from Morningside College, and earned a master’s degree from the Tuskegee Institute. He also received numerous accolades for his bravery, including 18 service medals and awards over his storied career, as well as several posthumous awards.
ABOUT NEWARK LIBERTY’S NEW TERMINAL A
The $2.7 billion investment for a new Terminal A represents the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s largest-ever design-build project in the state of New Jersey. The new Terminal A replaces the outmoded existing terminal that first opened in 1973. The 33-gate facility features state-of-the-art digital technology, modern passenger amenities, and superior dining and retail options offered by nearly 60 regional, national, and global brands. Newark, Elizabeth, and Jersey City retailers are among the locally owned and operated concessionaires. The retail and food/beverage offerings will be tailored to the needs and requirements of domestic passengers (lineup here).
The terminal has approximately 1 million square feet of space and will be able to handle larger aircraft with modernized common-use check-in, security, and baggage claim areas that can efficiently serve 13.6 million passengers a year. A new integrated parking facility with approximately 2,700 public parking spaces and consolidated car rental location directly connects to the New Terminal A via a climate-controlled pedestrian bridge. The multi-level garage is designed to be naturally ventilated and will provide convenient public parking and access to car rental companies all centralized at one location. The parking facility is expected to open by the end of the year and will feature innovative technology to allow travelers to enter and exit quickly and hassle-free.
Additional information on the new Terminal A here and photos of the new terminal are available here.
29 LOCAL ARTISTS COMMISSIONED TO SHOWCASE WORK IN NEW TERMINAL A AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
On November 14, 2022
Unique Art Installations Support Port Authority’s Vision for a Transformative Customer Experience and a New Jersey Sense of Place for Brand New Terminal A
Comprehensive Public Art Program Part of $2.7 Billion Transformation of Terminal A into a World-Class, State-of-the-Art Facility with 21st-Century Technology and Locally Inspired Concessions
A Full List of the Artists Can be Found Here
As part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $2.7 billion redevelopment program at Newark Liberty International Airport, the new Terminal A will showcase the work of 29 local artists with unique art installations to create a transformative customer experience offering a distinctive New Jersey sense of place, the agency announced today.
The innovative public art program supports the Port Authority’s overall vision and plan to transform the customer experience across all its facilities, including Newark Liberty, through inspirational public art, operational excellence, 21st century technology and world-class functionality. The goal of the art program is to transform the terminal into a civic space and artistic center that reflects the creativity, innovation, and diversity of New Jersey and the region.
“Unprecedented in its magnitude and potential impact, Port Authority’s transformation of Terminal A will result in a space that is quintessentially New Jersey,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “The new public art installations on display at Terminal A emphasize that Newark Liberty is not just a driver of regional economic activity, but an internationally recognized landmark within a culturally rich and inclusive landscape. There’s no better way to emphasize the value of such diversity and cultural exchange than by showcasing the work of local artists who represent the very best our state has to offer in terms of talent, innovation, and vision.”
“The newly redeveloped Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport will amplify the best of New Jersey,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Not only will the upgraded and expanded systems and facilities be more efficient in keeping with our innovation ecosystem, but the breadth and depth of New Jersey innovation, arts, history and culture will be on display welcoming millions of travelers annually and showcasing our diverse and inclusive state.”
“Since project inception, we have been committed to the inclusion of the local community into this project,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Installing regional art by local artists is a way that we can promote local connections to New Jersey and this new terminal while highlighting the rich diversity of this great state.”
“We want our airports not only to provide best-in-class 21st century functionality, but also to be inspiring and appealing as travelers move through them,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Public art installations by local artists have become a signature feature of Port Authority airports not only to uplift, but also in the case of Terminal A, to provide a New Jersey sense of place.”
“The community-driven art in the terminal stands as an expression of the commitment of both the Port Authority and Munich Airport International to identify and elevate the talent of local artists to amplify a unique passenger experience,” said Lutz Weisser and Lorenzo Di Loreto, Munich Airport International Group’s managing directors. “Not only is this a way to support local artists by providing a space to showcase their works, but it also gives travelers a New Jersey sense of place.
Anchoring the new Terminal A’s comprehensive art program are two ambitious permanent public art installations created by artists Layqa Nuna Yawar and Karyn Olivier. Spanning the public spaces of the new arrivals and departures halls, the new site-specific installations pay homage to the vitality, unique history, architecture, people, and character of New Jersey.
Working closely with the leadership of the Port Authority and terminal operator Munich Airport NJ, Public Art Fund invited a select group of artists to develop site-specific proposals for original permanent commissions in the new arrivals and departures halls that capture the essence of New Jersey. After a thorough evaluation of all proposals by a panel that included the EWR Terminal A Art Advisory Council — comprised of members of the statewide arts community and led by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (Arts Council) — Layqa Nuna Yawar and Karyn Olivier were awarded the permanent commissions.
“When a major new airport terminal not only brilliantly serves its function but also captures the unique spirit of a place, it becomes a truly civic space,” said Nicholas Baume, Artistic & Executive Director of Public Art Fund. “Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A thoughtfully achieves this with its two spectacular site-specific permanent commissions by Karyn Olivier and Layqa Nuna Yawar.”
Complementing the two large permanent installations are 27 works by local artists — eight of whom are from Newark and Elizabeth. Their artwork will be displayed in the digital welcome banner spanning the departures area, along with artists and photographers whose work will be rotating throughout the terminal.
For these rotating installations, the EWR Terminal A Art Advisory Council proactively reached out to New Jersey artists for submissions in several categories: digital, photography, and diptych. During a six-month process, the committee reviewed the candidates and based their selections primarily on the artwork, the artist’s New Jersey roots, and connection to the cities of Newark and Elizabeth. The Advisory Council presented their selections to the Port Authority and Munich Airport NJ for final decision.
“At the NJ State Council on the Arts, we believe public art is central to community and cultural identity,” said Danielle Bursk, Director of Community Partnerships & Artist Services and Chair of the Arts Council. “Our partnership with The Port Authority of NY and NJ at Newark Liberty Airport provides an invaluable international platform for local artists to showcase their work, while also celebrating the vast and diverse stories and communities throughout New Jersey and the region. We’re honored to provide more opportunities for millions of people to have meaningful arts experiences as part of their everyday lives.”
An additional permanent installation by Talley Fisher of Bellefonte, Pa., is located at the pedestrian bridge connecting the new Terminal A with the new garage and rental car parking facility. Inspired by the ocean adjacent to New Jersey, Fisher’s art installation is a series of sculptures comprised of abstract water elements floating over the heads of those traversing the pedestrian bridge.
The Port Authority and Munich also contracted with Moment Factory — a multimedia studio specializing in video, lighting, architecture, sound, and special effects for immersive environments — on digital installations throughout the terminal. Located at the heart of the terminal, the “Forest of Firsts” is a display of New Jersey-centric multimedia pylons celebrating the Garden State’s firsts in multiple areas of human accomplishment, including science, literature, energy, and film innovations. Additional installations include the welcome banner, a large format “NJ” sculpture, and the digital pylons in the passenger holdrooms. New Jersey-centric themes can also be found throughout the terminal, such as New Jersey Road Trip; Location, Location, Location; A Warm New Jersey Welcome; and True New Jerseyans.
The artists’ installations will be unveiled with the opening of the new Terminal A this week.
Redeveloping Newark Liberty
The art installations are part of the Port Authority’s vision to transform Newark Liberty into a world class gateway for the New Jersey/New York region. The next phase of this transformation will be developed through the work of the recently selected world-class airport master planner to develop a vision plan for future redevelopment of the airport.
In addition to the replacement of Terminal A, the $2.7 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program at Newark Liberty International Airport includes associated roadway and airside improvements and a new parking garage.
Once completed, the new 1 million square foot terminal will be 20 percent larger than the existing Terminal A, the outmoded terminal it will replace. Designed as a “common use” terminal, all gates in the new terminal will be utilized by multiple carriers, which will increase flexibility and efficiency and optimize operations. The new terminal will accommodate an estimated 13.6 million passengers annually on three levels. A covered pedestrian bridge will provide direct terminal access for passengers to the public parking garage and the new centralized rental car facilities.
The new Terminal A is expected to generate more than $4.6 billion in regional economic activity, create more than 23,000 job years and provide more than $1.9 billion in wages. As of June 2022, the Terminal A program had awarded 94 sub-contracts to minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) totaling more than $1 billion and 92 sub-contracts to New Jersey firms for $213 million.
Newark Liberty currently provides jobs for approximately 19,250 people directly employed at the airport. It contributes more than $29.3 billion in annual economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, supporting more than 128,000 total jobs and nearly $10.8 billion in annual wages.
PORT AUTHORITY INTRODUCES WORLD-CLASS CONCESSIONS LINEUP FOR THE NEW $2.7 BILLION TERMINAL A AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
On May 23, 2022
New Terminal Will Showcase Nearly 60 Regional, National and Global Brands
Newark and Elizabeth Retailers Among the Locally Owned and Operated Concessions
Part of Major Newark Liberty Redevelopment, Including New AirTrain and Parking/Rental Car Facility
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced a world-class roster of regional, national, and global businesses that will be bringing their distinctive brands to the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which is in its final stages of development and expected to open later this year.
Notable New Jersey-based brands — including Jersey Mike’s, Smokehouse BBQ, Office Tavern & Grill, New Jersey Monthly, Playa Bowls, and W.B. Law Coffee — have signed agreements to operate in the new 1-million-square foot terminal. The Port Authority also has invested $3 million to build out retail space within the new Terminal A to accommodate the inclusion of local businesses from the cities of Elizabeth and Newark.
Located in the terminal’s main hall, these locally owned and operated stores – The Black Home, Tonnie’s Minis, Artist Pop Shop, GWER Gelato, and Bold Newark Black Owned Local Designs — will offer unique goods and items, from souvenirs and artwork to baked goods and gelato.
Nationally recognizable brands such as Starbucks, Shake Shack, Bluestone Lane, and Hugo Boss also have signed agreements to operate in the terminal.
“The Port Authority’s investment in the inclusion of locally owned and operated stores reflects the importance of New Jersey’s small businesses, which act as the backbone of our local economies,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Local businesses from Elizabeth and Newark, in addition to several quintessentially Jersey brands, represent the vast diversity of our state’s commercial sector. Overall, Terminal A will solidify our position as a hub for domestic and international travel, while providing a tremendous boost to our already burgeoning economy.”
“The new terminal will offer a combination of global and national brands as well as local concepts that create a real sense of place and pride in the state of New Jersey,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We’re committed to delivering exceptional services and amenities to travelers while helping to support the local economy.”
“The Port Authority is committed to world-class quality and appeal but with an emphasis on local standout New Jersey food and retail brands,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This is a significant part of our vision of a world-class facility offering passengers the opportunity to sample local favorites and national brands.”
“We are proud of and excited about the new Terminal A’s commercial program, which is a key element in creating a world-class customer experience,” said Ralf Gaffal, CEO of Munich Airport International, the company that will operate the new terminal. “This terminal will offer a grand experience of the highest possible standard.”
“We are excited about the new Terminal A and the career opportunities and experiences it will offer to our residents and visitors,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “The inclusion of local small businesses in the terminal is vital and it is progress that we can all be proud of. I congratulate the Port Authority on ensuring that Newark Liberty International Airport continues to be among the world’s leaders.”
Munich Airport NJ LLC, a subsidiary of Munich Airport in Germany and manager of the current EWR Terminal A, will be responsible for airport operations, maintenance, and concession management services at the new Terminal A. For more on the new Terminal A, link here.
Once completed, the new terminal will be a modern, state-of-the art facility and will replace the existing Terminal A, which has outlived its useful time. The new terminal has a design capacity for approximately 14 million passengers annually and 33 common-use gates, providing generous space for a smooth journey through the building from curbside through check-in, security, gate hold rooms, and baggage claim.
The retail and food/beverage offerings will be tailored to the needs and requirements of domestic passengers. Connecting to the new Terminal A will be consolidated rent-a-car facility (ConRAC), which will accommodate numerous rental car agencies at one convenient location at the south end of the airport.
To accommodate future passenger growth at Newark Liberty, the Port Authority has also embarked on other major transformational capital projects, such as the construction of a $2.05-billion new AirTrain Newark system that will be a 2.5-mile elevated train system to replace one that has outlived its useful life.
Terminal A is the state’s largest design-build project, expected to generate more than $4.6 billion in regional economic activity, create more than 23,000 jobs and provide more than $1.9 billion in wages.