Airport officials have declared that major changes are due for Newark Airport in hopes to improve its reputation and accommodate more travelers. It's going to be known as the "single biggest redo" of a New Jersey airport.

A Tri-State Transformation

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stated on Thursday the introduction of the “EWR Vision Plan,” designed to overhaul the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The most notable change to the 96-year-old airport is a brand-new Terminal B, with other changes including new airside taxiways, roadways, parking areas, and the AirTrain system.

Nearly 50 million passengers accessed the airport in 2023, but the growing annual traffic has caused multiple problems. Terminal B is currently too small to provide enough room for large crowds of people, the roadways are often congested, and the airport itself faces a high number of delays each year.

“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,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stated.

Terminal B was first built over 50 years ago, in 1973. Terminal A opened in 2023, which has helped alleviate congestion and provided airlines with 33 additional gates, but the Port Authority deems that more work is necessary and that both Terminals B and C are in great need of a modern overhaul. 

As of now, the plan is merely a blueprint with nothing set in stone or scheduled to take place. The Port Authority, however, is poised to recapture the success of renovations made to JFK International Airport since 2017 and LaGuardia Airport in 2022.

Growing Pains Expected?

With these new plans, travellers might be concerned that the construction would cause inconveniences when trying to get to flights on time. Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton shared additional comments with members of the media:

"We learnt a lot of lessons at LaGuardia; I would point out although everyone has that image planted in their mind, it happened at the beginning of the first summer and one thing you learn is you have to plan for the peaks."

"I have no doubt that the lessons learned at LaGuardia and JFK will enable us to handle the construction process to manage the traffic and to avoid any passengers having to get out of their cars."

The press release goes on to summarize the proposed new developments outside of Terminal B:

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."
 

The Port Authority is looking to put together a multi-year "planning process" in 2025, in which the commission would get together to discuss project specifications, budget evaluations, and a possible timeline for each project.