Investment
The city of Newark spent more than $8.2 million on construction and development of the airport. The U.S. government spent more than $15.1 million prior to 1948. The Port Authority has invested more than $3.9 billion in the airport.
Employment and Economic Impact
Newark Liberty contributes about $18.5 billion in economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region including more than $6.7 billion in wages and salaries. About 157,000 jobs are derived from airport activity. More than 24,000 people are employed at the airport.
Port Authority Administration Building
In 2002, reconstruction of the National Historic Landmark Newark Liberty International Airport's Administration Building #1 was completed. The new 100,000 square-foot building houses much of the Port Authority's airport staff.
Central Terminal Area
The 425-acre oval Central Terminal Area was built as part of a large-scale airport redevelopment program in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Terminals
Newark Liberty has three major terminals: A, B and C.
Terminal A
With 27 gates, Terminal A branches out into three circular satellite buildings, designed as A-1, A-2 and A-3. The main terminal building measures approximately 800 by 165 feet.
Terminal B
Terminal B is capable of processing 3,000 arriving passengers per hour and has 15 international arrivals gates. $279 million has been authorized to modernize the terminal and related facilities to improve customer service and allow greater efficiency for the screening process and baggage handling. Enhancements include additional ticketing areas, passenger screening points, and the construction of a new domestic baggage claim area.
Terminal C
At Terminal C, Continental's Global Gateway project includes the C3 concourse, which opened in December 2001. With an additional 600,000 square feet of space, the facility was converted into a three-level terminal with two levels for departures. The concourse has 19 gates, a huge retail space and Customs facilities. Continental also completed its state-of-the-art International Arrivals facility adding another 1,500 passengers-per-hour arrival capacity to the airport.
AirTrain Newark
In the fall of 2001, AirTrain Newark began service to the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station where passengers can connect to NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak rail lines. The AirTrain connection provides an all-rail link between the airport and New York City, Philadelphia, points across New Jersey and destinations beyond.
Cargo
Newark Liberty is the overnight small package center for the New York, New Jersey region, offering a full range of short-, medium- and long-haul services to domestic and international destinations. The airport expanded its cargo capacity in 2004 with the opening of a 142,000 square-foot facility, which combined with United and Continental's cargo buildings, increases cargo space at the airport to 1.3 million square feet.
| Year | Plane Movements | Passengers | Air Cargo (tons) | Air Mail (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 93,463 | 834,916 | 40,574 | 2,891 |
| 1960 | 163,378 | 2,935,613 | 58,313 | 10,557 |
| 1970 | 204,595 | 6,460,489 | 157,301 | 37,401 |
| 1980 | 196,781 | 9,223,260 | 107,167 | 38,227 |
| 1990 | 379,653 | 22,255,002 | 495,407 | 61,351 |
| 1995 | 420,546 | 26,626,231 | 958,419 | 84,818 |
| 1997 | 462,889 | 30,945,857 | 1,069,545 | 86,216 |
| 1998 | 455,833 | 32,575,874 | 1,074,642 | 120,134 |
| 1999 | 457,974 | 33,622,686 | 1,084,660 | 123,079 |
| 2000 | 450,289 | 34,188,701 | 1,070,380 | 123,015 |
| 2001 | 439,275 | 31,100,491 | 913,126 | 73,029 |
| 2002 | 405,816 | 29,220,775 | 906,164 | 38,868 |
| 2003 | 405,734 | 29,428,899 | 890,712 | 73,611 |
| 2004 | 437,446 | 31,893,372 | 995,256 | 90,564 |
| 2005 | 436,244 | 33,078,473 | 957,603 | 90,169 |
| 2006 | 446,166 | 35,764,910 | 979,271 | 95,658 |