New York City airports brace for record passenger numbers in upcoming year

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New York City airports brace for record passenger numbers in upcoming year

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Airbus A380 | Airbus

By Sky Industry News

Dec 24, 2024

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has projected a record-breaking year in 2025, estimating that its four commercial airports will accommodate 150 million passengers. The authority manages John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Stewart International Airport (SWF).

Elizabeth McCarthy, the chief financial officer of the Port Authority, presented the 2025 budget at a board meeting on December 12. She stated that "150 million passengers should pass through these airports in 2025." Developments include new terminals and full-scale construction under the 'New JFK' program with $19 billion investments and a new AirTrain at Newark-Liberty.

The proposed $9.4 billion budget is balanced between income and expenses to support the authority's operations. The authority anticipates earning an additional $247 million in revenue compared to 2024, mainly from aviation activity-based rentals and higher recoverable costs.

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Spending on aviation-related activities will increase by approximately $488 million, including significant investments in redeveloping New York-JFK. McCarthy highlighted challenges faced due to a pandemic-induced $3 billion revenue shortfall compounded by inflationary pressures, leading to "limited toll adjustments" at bridges and tunnels.

In 2023, the four airports welcomed 144.1 million travelers, marking a 12.4% increase year-on-year. Domestic travelers numbered 95.1 million while international passengers totaled 49 million.

As of October 31, the airports recorded passenger traffic of 122.1 million, slightly up by 1.3% from the previous year’s same period. Airlines scheduled fewer weekly flights for November and December but increased weekly seat availability compared to those months in 2023.

For early 2025, airlines have planned for more flights than in early 2024—a rise of about 0.6% year-on-year.

Potential disruptions are anticipated at Newark-Liberty due to runway repairs scheduled throughout various periods in March-April and September-December weekends in 2025.

"Due to the volume of flights arriving and departing EWR," said an official statement regarding potential impacts during runway closures affecting carriers' operational reliability.

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted relief allowing airlines to reduce operations without losing historical scheduling rights at Newark-Liberty as well as other major U.S airports including Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with limited waivers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).