Newark Terminal A expansion to add eight gates in $110m Port Authority investment

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has authorised $110 million for two expansions of Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, adding eight new common-use gates and 25,000 square feet of passenger space.

The $100 million southern expansion will add two gates, adjacent seating areas, restrooms and grab-and-go concession space, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and completion planned for 2029.

A further $10 million has been authorised to begin planning the northern expansion, which is expected to add six additional common-use gates. The first phase is scheduled to open in 2030, with the full expansion planned to be completed in phases through 2032.

The projects form part of the Port Authority’s wider EWR Vision Plan to redevelop Newark Liberty, which also includes a new Terminal B, a modernised AirTrain system and redesigned roadway and taxiway networks.

“Newark Liberty is a front door to our state, and a gateway to the nation and world. It should make travel easy and efficient for passengers, and reflect the very best of New Jersey,” said New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.

“Terminal A has set a new standard and attracted far more passengers than anticipated. This expansion will help us meet that demand and the needs of those travellers, create good-paying jobs, and continue building the modern, world-class airport New Jerseyans deserve.”

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said the expansion would build on the capacity deliberately incorporated into Terminal A when it was originally developed.

“When Terminal A opened nearly four years ago, it showed New Jersey and the world what was possible when we set our mind on delivering world-class facilities,” said O’Toole.

“We left room for growth back then, and now after the terminal shattered passenger forecasts, it’s time to make good on those ambitions. These new gates will add modern new passenger spaces on par with the current stunning terminal, as well as additional flexibility for airport operations.”

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said the Terminal A projects were part of a broader programme to modernise Newark Liberty.

“These expansions at Terminal A are a critical step in our larger plan to overhaul and modernize Newark Liberty,” said Garcia. “These new gates, along with a new, world-class Terminal B, a modern, reliable AirTrain system, and redesigned roadway and taxiway networks will make for a wholly transformed passenger experience from curb to gate for Newark travelers.”

Terminal A expansion

Newark Liberty’s new $2.7 billion Terminal A opened in 2023. The 1-million-square-foot terminal has 33 gates and was designed to allow for future expansion to both the north and south.

The terminal was originally designed to accommodate approximately 13 million passengers annually. However, it handled approximately 18 million passengers in 2024, nearly 40% more than originally projected.

The southern expansion will add approximately 25,000 square feet of space and two new common-use gates, together with passenger seating, men’s, women’s and all-gender restrooms and grab-and-go concession space.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the expansion expected to open in 2029.

Initial planning work for the northern expansion is projected to generate approximately 70 job-years, $7.7 million in wages and $17.3 million in economic activity.

Planning for the northern expansion will take place alongside construction of the southern project. The $10 million approved for this phase will fund the development of cost estimates, construction phasing and other supporting work ahead of an anticipated project authorisation in 2027.

The northern expansion is expected to provide six additional common-use gates, with a phased opening planned between 2030 and 2032.

Wider Newark redevelopment

The Terminal A expansion advances the Port Authority’s EWR Vision Plan, a long-term programme covering the continued development of Newark Liberty International Airport.

The plan includes a new international terminal to replace the existing Terminal B, enhancements to Terminal C, a replacement for the existing AirTrain Newark system, and improvements to the airport’s roadway and taxiway networks.

The proposed AirTrain replacement would be a new 2.5-mile automated train system. The existing system carries approximately 33,000 passengers and employees each day, providing connections between the airport’s terminals, parking facilities and rental car centre, as well as Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor.

The Port Authority is also constructing a new entry point to the Newark Liberty International Airport rail station, providing improved access to Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT services for residents of Newark and Elizabeth and connections towards New York City.

On the airside, the redevelopment programme includes a more efficient and resilient taxiway network designed to accommodate larger aircraft, increase aircraft parking capacity and flexibility, and provide additional redundancy to help minimise delays during irregular operations. Additional deicing facilities are also planned.

Landside improvements include redesigned roadway and taxi circulation, expanded terminal frontages and improved connections for pedestrians, cyclists and service vehicles.

The Port Authority said the southern Terminal A expansion is expected to generate approximately 750 job-years, $76.6 million in wages and $173 million in economic activity when direct, indirect and induced effects are included.