The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is moving ahead with plans to expand Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A, approving $110 million for projects that will add eight new gates and additional passenger space to the recently renovated terminal.
At their meeting today, the Board of Commissioners authorized $100 million for a southern expansion of the terminal and another $10 million to begin planning a northern expansion. The projects are part of a broader plan to modernize Newark Liberty and accommodate continued passenger growth.
The southern expansion will add about 25,000 square feet, including two common-use gates, seating areas, restrooms and grab-and-go concessions. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the expansion scheduled to open in 2029.
The northern expansion is expected to add six additional common-use gates. The $10 million authorization will fund planning, cost estimates and construction phasing, with the first phase expected to open in 2030 and additional phases continuing through 2032.
The expansion comes as passenger demand at Terminal A has significantly exceeded the projections used when it was designed. The $2.7 billion terminal opened in 2023 with 33 gates and was originally designed to accommodate about 13 million passengers annually. Approximately 18 million passengers used the terminal in 2024, nearly 40% more than initially projected.
“Terminal A has set a new standard and attracted far more passengers than anticipated,” New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement. “This expansion will help us meet that demand and the needs of those travelers, create good-paying jobs, and continue building the modern, world-class airport New Jerseyans deserve.”
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said the original terminal was designed with room for future growth.
The projects are part of the Port Authority’s broader EWR Vision Plan, which calls for a comprehensive redevelopment of Newark Liberty. The plan includes a new international terminal to replace the existing Terminal B, improvements to Terminal C, a redesigned roadway and taxiway network, and replacement of the existing AirTrain Newark with a new 2.5-mile automated system.
