Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR), first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport which straddles the municipal boundary between Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States. The airport is owned by the city of Newark and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Newark Airport was the first major airport in the United States^[3] and is the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area's busiest in terms of flights. ^[4]

In 2010 Newark Airport handled 33.1 million passengers,^[1] compared with JFK International's 46.5 million^[1] and LaGuardia's just under 24.0 million. The New York City metropolitan area's JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports combine to create the largest airport system in the United States, second in the world in terms of passenger traffic, and first in the world in terms of total flight operations.

Newark Liberty is the third-largest hub for United Airlines (after Houston and Chicago-O'Hare), which is the airport's largest tenant (operating all of Terminal C and part of Terminal A). Primarily due to this large hub operation, United Airlines is by far the leading carrier in the New York market.^[5] Newark's second largest tenant is FedEx Express, whose third largest cargo hub uses three buildings on two million square feet.^[6]

History

Newark Airport was first developed on 68 acres of reclaimed land along the Passaic River by the City of Newark ^[4]and was the first major airport in the New York area, opening on October 1, 1928.^[7]

The Newark Metropolitan Airport Terminal, once adorned with murals by Arshile Gorky^[8] and no longer used for passengers, is a National Historic Landmark. Dedicated in 1935 by Amelia Earhart it was North America's first commercial airline terminal. Newark was the busiest airport in the world until LaGuardia Airport opened in 1939, dividing New York's air traffic and allowing Chicago Midway International Airport to take the lead in some years thereafter. Newark was closed to the airlines and taken over by the United States Army for logistics operations during World War II. In 1945, captured German aircraft brought from Europe on the HMS Reaper for evaluation under Operation Lusty, were off-loaded at Newark AAF and then either flown or shipped to Freeman Field, Indiana or Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

The airlines returned after the war; in 1948 the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took over the airport, later making major investments in new hangars, a new terminal and runway 4/22. The art deco Administration Building served as the main terminal until the opening of the North Terminal in 1953, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979

On 16 Dec 1951 a passenger C-46 lost a cylinder on takeoff from runway 28 and crashed in Elizabeth, killing 56. On 22 Jan 1952 an American Airlines Convair on approach to runway 6 crashed in Elizabeth, killing 30. On 11 Feb 1952 a National DC-6 crashed in Elizabeth after takeoff from runway 24, killing 33.^[9] Inevitably the airport was closed for some months; airline traffic resumed later in the year, but the airport's continued unpopularity and the New York area's growing air traffic led to searches for new airport sites. A new international airport to serve the New York City area would have been built in what is now the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, however local protests defeated the plan.^[10]

The April 1957 Official Airline Guide showed 144 weekday passenger fixed-wing departures from Newark: 40 Eastern, 19 Capital, 16 American, 14 United, 14 Mohawk, 13 Allegheny, 11 TWA, 8 National, 5 Delta and 4 Braniff. National had a nonstop to Miami, Eastern had nonstops to Miami, New Orleans and Houston, Braniff had a nonstop DC-7C to Dallas and TWA flew nonstop to St Louis; no other nonstops to points west of Chicago, and no international nonstops. (Eastern started a nonstop to Montreal in 1958, probably Newark's first scheduled international nonstop since 1939, though Eastern had nonstops to San Juan in 1951.) Jet airliners arrived in 1961; in 1964 American and TWA started flying nonstop to California, though Newark's longest runway remained 7,000 ft (2,100 m) until 1970. TWA's 707 nonstop to Heathrow in 1978 was probably Newark's first intercontinental nonstop.

In the 1970s the airport underwent a significant enlargement, including the construction of the current Terminals A, B, and C, and was renamed Newark International Airport. Terminals A and B opened in 1973, although some charter and international flights requiring customs clearance remained at the North Terminal. The main building of Terminal C was completed at the same time, but only metal framing work was done on the terminal's satellites, and it lay dormant until the mid-1980s, when for a brief time the west third of the terminal was equipped for international arrivals and used for certain People Express transcontinental flights. Terminal C was fully completed and opened to the public in June 1988.

Underutilized through the 1970s, Newark expanded dramatically in the 1980s. People Express struck a deal with the Port Authority to use the North Terminal as both its air terminal and corporate office in 1981 and began operations at Newark that year. It quickly became one of the largest American airlines, increasing Newark's traffic through most of the 1980s. Virgin Atlantic Airways began flights from Newark to London in 1984, challenging JFK's status as New York's international gateway (but Virgin Atlantic now has more flights at JFK than at Newark). Federal Express (now known as FedEx Express) opened its second hub at the airport in 1986.^[6] When People Express merged into Continental in 1987 operations at the North Terminal were greatly reduced, and the building was demolished to make way for cargo facilities in the early 1990s. Newark is a major hub for United Airlines (previously Continental Airlines before the 2010 merger).

Today United has its Global Gateway at Terminal C, having completed a major expansion project that included the construction of a new, third concourse and a new Federal Inspection Services facility. With its Newark hub United is the largest provider of air service to the New York metropolitan area.

United Airlines Flight 93 pushed back from gate A17 at 8:01 am, on its way from Newark to San Francisco International Airport, on September 11, 2001. Two hours later it would crash into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, when passengers attempted to take over the plane from a team of hijackers. Based on the direction that the plane was flying at the time and information gathered afterwards, most observers ^[11] believe that the hijackers intended to crash the plane into a target in Washington, D.C., such as the Capitol or White House. To honor the victims that died on September 11, in 2002 the airport's name was changed from Newark International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. This name was chosen over the initial proposal, Liberty International Airport at Newark, and refers to the landmark Statue of Liberty, just 7 miles (11 km) east of the airport.^[12][13]

In 2001, Newark Liberty International Airport became the terminus of the world's longest non-stop scheduled roundtrip airline route, Continental (now United Airlines) service to Hong Kong. Continental began flying from Newark to Beijing on June 15, 2005 and Delhi on November 1, 2005. When these services began, Continental became for a time the only airline to serve India nonstop from the United States, and the third U.S. carrier, after United and Northwest to serve mainland China nonstop and the first U.S. carrier to offer nonstop flights to Beijing from the New York City area. On July 16, 2007, Continental Airlines announced that it would seek government approval for nonstop flights between Newark and Shanghai in 2009. In September 2007, the United States Department of Transportation tentatively awarded Continental the right to fly to Shanghai from Newark beginning March 25, 2009 using Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.

Since June 2008 flight caps restricting the number of flights to 81 per hour have been in use. The flight caps, which were only in effect until 2009, are intended to be a short-term solution to Newark Airport's congestion problem.^[14]

Facilities

Newark Liberty International Airport covers 2,027 acres (820 ha) and has three runways and one helipad:

• Runway 4L/22R: 11,000 x 150 ft (3,353 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt/Concrete
• Runway 4R/22L: 10,000 x 150 ft (3,048 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
• Runway 11/29: 6,800 x 150 ft (2,073 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
• Helipad H1: 40 x 40 ft (12 x 12 m), Surface: Concrete

Runway 11/29 is part of the original paved runway system developed in the 1940s. In 1952, original Runways 1/19 and 6/24 were closed in response to concerns about obstructions and noise, and a modern Runway 4/22 (now 4R/22L) was commissioned at a length of 7,000 ft (2,100 m) This runway was later extended to 9,800 feet (3,000 m), shortened for a while to 9,300 ft (2,800 m) and finally brought to its present length by 2000. Runway 4L/22R opened in 1970 at a length of 8,200 ft (2,500 m) and was extended to its current dimensions by 2000.

All approaches except Runway 29 are equipped with Instrument Landing Systems, and Runway 4R is certified for Category III ILS approaches.

Most departing traffic use Runway 4L/22R while most arriving traffic use 4R/22L, and 11/29 is used more often by smaller aircraft or when there are strong crosswinds on the two main runways. Newark's two parallel runways (4L and 4R) have a lateral separation of only 900 feet (270 m), which is the fourth smallest of major airports in the U.S., after SFO, LAX and SEA.^[15] (Calculated from the lat-lons at ^[16] the parallel runways are 950 ft (290 m) apart.)

Terminals

Newark Liberty International Airport has three passenger terminals. Terminal A and Terminal B were completed in 1973 and have four levels. Ticket counters are on the top floor, except for the second-floor Air India and first-floor British Airways desks. Gates and shops are on the third floor. An international arrivals lounge (Terminal B) and baggage carousels (both A and B) are on the second floor. Finally, short-term parking and ramp operations (restricted areas) are on the ground floor.

Terminal C, completed in 1988, has two ticketing levels, one for international check-in and one for domestic check-in. The main terminal building for Terminal C was built alongside Terminals A and B in the 1970s, but lay dormant until PEOPLExpress took it over as a replacement for the former North Terminal when the airline's hub there outgrew the old facility. Upon opening, Terminal C had 41 gates, originally with one departures level, one arrivals level, and an underground parking garage. The gates, as well as food and shopping outlets, are located on a mezzanine level between the two check-in floors. From 1998 to 2003, Terminal C was renovated and expanded in a $1.2 billion program known as the Continental Airlines Global Gateway Project.^[17] The project doubled the available space for outbound travelers as the former baggage claim/arrivals hall was remodeled and turned into a second departures level. Probably most significant was the addition of International Concourse C-3, a spacious and airy new facility with capacity for a maximum of 19 narrowbody aircraft (or 12 widebody planes). Completion of this new concourse brought Terminal C's total number of mainline jet gates to 57. Concomitant with Concourse C-3 is a new international arrivals facility. Also included in the project: a 3,400-space parking garage constructed in front of the terminal, a new airside corridor connecting Concourses C-1, C-2, and C-3, a new President's Club (now called United Club) lounge between C-2 and C-3, and all-new baggage processing facilities, including reconstruction of the former underground parking area into a new baggage claim and arrivals hall.

As of 2008, Terminal B is being renovated to increase capacity for departing passengers and passenger comfort. The renovations include expanding and updating the ticketing areas, building a new departure level for domestic flights, and building a new arrivals hall.^[18] Plans are also in place to expand Terminal A by adding a new parking garage and radically expanding the size of the first concourse to add new gates, ticketing, baggage and security areas.^[19]

Each terminal has three concourses: Terminal A, for instance, is divided into concourses A1, A2, and A3. Gate numbering is continuous through all the terminals. Wayfinding signage throughout the terminals was designed by Paul Mijksenaar.^[20]

Terminal A is the only terminal having no immigration facilities: flights arriving from other countries cannot use Terminal A (except countries with US customs preclearance), although some departing international flights use the terminal.

Following the business model of the Port Authority's other facilities, in some cases entire terminals are operated by terminal operators and not by the Port Authority directly. At Newark Liberty, Terminal A and Terminal C is operated by United Airlines. Terminal B is the only passenger terminal directly operated by the Authority.^[21]

Airlines and destinations

Scheduled cargo airlines and destinations

Traffic and statistics

In 2009, Newark Liberty International Airport handled 32,825,570 passengers.

Ground transportation

AirTrain

Newark is an intermodal airport. A monorail system, AirTrain Newark, connects the terminals with the Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Link Station for connection to Amtrak and New Jersey Transit service. Passengers can use this connection to travel from EWR to any station along New Jersey Transit's Northeast Corridor Line or North Jersey Coast Line, including regional transit hubs such as New York City's Penn Station.

United Airlines uses this rail connection to book passengers through Newark to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Wilmington Station in Wilmington, Delaware; Penn Station in New York City; Stamford Station in Stamford, Connecticut; and Union Station in New Haven, Connecticut.

The monorail is free for use between all stations, but passengers wishing to exit or enter the Rail Link station must pay a fee. NJ Transit tickets to or from the Rail Link station that are sold at ticket windows and vending machines automatically include this fee. Tickets purchased on a train will not allow passengers to enter the Rail Link station; they will have to pay the fee at the station.

Other connections

Numerous bus services run between Newark Liberty and nearby population centers, including New Jersey Transit, Airporter, and Olympia Trails. Express buses to Manhattan transit hubs (Grand Central Terminal, Port Authority Bus Terminal, etc.), and a bus service to JFK Airport are also available.

The airport is also served by a number of New Jersey Transit buses, providing local service from downtown Newark, including Newark Penn Station, Irvington, Lakewood and Toms River.

Taxis also operate from the airport at flat rates based on destination. From the City of New York, fares are set by New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission. Newark Liberty, along with destinations in Nassau and Westchester Counties, is one of the exceptions to the rule that a New York City taxi driver may refuse to take a passenger to any destination outside the five boroughs.

United Airlines also books passengers via Trans-Bridge Lines to Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a 90-minute trip.

There are also private limousine and car service companies providing service to the airport.

U.S. Route 1/9 is the main access road that allows motorists to gain access to the airport. Routes 1/9 provide connections to Route 81 and Interstate 78, both of which have interchanges with the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) at Exit 13A and 14, respectively.

Accommodations

Within Newark Liberty International Airport's complex is a Marriott hotel, the only hotel located on the airport's property.^[26] Shuttle vans stop at all terminals to transport guests to the hotel because the Marriott is not serviced by the monorail and is not physically connected to any terminal. There are also a variety of hotels located adjacent to Newark Airport including the Hilton Newark Airport Hotel and Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel.

Airport information

Airport information can be obtained in several ways both before traveling to the airport and while there. In addition to the Web site listed below, travelers may call the airport at +1-973-961-6000 or from within the United States and Canada, toll-free at 888-EWR-INFO (397-4636).

In the immediate vicinity of the airport, parking and other information can be obtained by tuning to a highway advisory radio station at 530 AM.

Newark Airport, along with LaGuardia and Kennedy airports, uses a uniform style of signing throughout the airport properties. Yellow signs direct passengers to airline gates, ticketing and other flight services; green signs direct passengers to ground transportation services, and black signs lead to restrooms, telephones and other passenger amenities.

New York City traffic reporter Bernie Wagenblast provides the voice for the airport's phone system, radio station and curbside announcements, as well as the messages heard onboard AirTrain Newark and in its stations.

The airport has the IATA designation EWR, rather than a designation that begins with the letter 'N' because the U.S. Navy discourages the use of IATA codes that begin with the letter 'N' for United States airports, and because the obvious designator of "NEW" is already assigned to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, LA.

Incidents and accidents

• April 18, 1979: New York Airways Commuter Chopper on a routine flight to Laguardia and JFK Airports plunged 150 feet (46 m) into the area between Runways 4L/22R and 4R/22L killing 3 passengers and injuring 15. It was later determined the crash was due to a failure in the copter's tail rotor.[1]
• July 31, 1997: FedEx Flight 14, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, crashed during landing from Anchorage International Airport. The No. 3 engine contacted the runway during a rough landing which caused the aircraft to flip upside down, after which it was destroyed by fire. The two crewmembers and three passengers escaped uninjured.^[27]
• September 11, 2001: United Airlines Flight 93 to San Francisco International Airport was hijacked as part of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The passengers revolted forcing the hijackers to crash the aircraft into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. All of the passengers, crew and hijackers died in the crash. A flag now flies over Gate A17, the gate in which the flight pushed back from that day.^[28]
• On October 28, 2006: Continental Airlines Flight 1883, a Boeing 757-200, mistakenly landed on Taxiway Z instead of Runway 29. There were no reported injuries or damage from the incident. Both pilots were grounded by the airline after the incident but were later returned to duty.^[29]
• February 12, 2009: Colgan Air Flight 3407, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 operating under contract with Continental Connection crashed into a home in Clarence Center, New York. The flight was scheduled to arrive at Buffalo Niagara International Airport and was approximately six miles away from the airport when it crashed. All 49 passengers and crew members on board the aircraft and one person on the ground perished in the incident.^[30]
• January 3, 2010: Terminal C was evacuated after a person passed through from the public side to the sterile side of the airport without going through security. Passengers reported seeing a man walk through the checkpoint's exit lane after a TSA security officer momentarily left his post. The sterile side of the terminal was evacuated for about six hours. Security cameras caught the incident, and on January 8, Haisong Jiang was arrested and charged with definant trespassing.^[31]
• January 10, 2010: United Airlines Flight 634, an Airbus A319, made an emergency landing after the aircraft's right rear landing gear failed to deploy. No passengers or crew members were injured during the landing.^[32] The aircraft sustained substantial damage in the accident.^[33]

See also

• New Jersey World War II Army Airfields

References

External links

• Newark Liberty International Airport (official site)
• "World's Busiest Airport" Popular Mechanics, May 1937
• How To Get To Newark Airport
• Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
• FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective 15 December 2011
• Resources for this airport:
  • AirNav airport information for KEWR
  • ASN accident history for EWR
  • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
  • NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
  • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KEWR
  • FAA current EWR delay information
  • OpenNav airspace and charts for KEWR