PANYNJ modernising AirTrain system at Newark as it reimagines passenger experience

On the Ground // Oct 2025

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has begun work on a new AirTrain system at Newark Liberty International Airport. The new $3.5 billion system is a major piece of the ongoing redevelopment of EWR.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – has begun work on a new AirTrain system at Newark Liberty International Airport. The new $3.5 billion system will replace the existing AirTrain, which opened in 1996 and has become outdated, over capacity, and unable to accommodate Newark Liberty’s rapid growth.

The new AirTrain system is a major piece of the ongoing redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport. The redevelopment plan charts a comprehensive reimagining of the airport, complete with modern terminals and infrastructure, a more intuitive roadway network, and a redesigned taxiway network to more efficiently accommodate aircraft and reduce delays. The new AirTrain system will allow for expanded passenger capacity, greater reliability and flexible connectivity in conjunction with the airport’s redevelopment plan. It is expected to begin operation in 2030.

“Breaking ground on a new AirTrain system marks another milestone in the complete transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport into a world-class gateway,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This project is about more than just replacing outdated infrastructure. It’s about building the capacity, reliability, and customer experience that millions of travellers will depend on for decades to come as we complete a top-to-bottom reimagining of Newark Liberty.”

The existing AirTrain is reaching the end of its useful life, requires extensive maintenance and repair, and cannot adequately meet upcoming demand. AirTrain ridership is forecasted to grow by 50% by 2040, exceeding the capacity of the existing system. The current system is unable to be expanded or upgraded to newer technology, and its route will hinder future airport growth, while the new system is designed to be expandable. When the current system opened, the airport served approximately 30 million passengers each year. In 2024, Newark Liberty welcomed nearly 50 million passengers.

The new $3.5 billion AirTrain system will be better positioned to meet the needs of the redeveloped and modernised airport. The system will offer greater reliability and capacity, with the ability to handle 50,000 passengers per day, up from the current system’s 33,000-passenger capacity. Its route will allow for easier access to the new Terminal A, eliminating the current 15-minute walk between the AirTrain station and the terminal.

The Port Authority will provide connections to the current Terminal B. As the Port Authority continues to redevelop the entire airport, passengers will be able to connect to the current terminal using a variety of options, including pedestrian walkways and efficient bus services. The agency will also be testing the use of autonomous shuttles as a new and convenient form of transportation that leverages 21st century technology to provide a convenient, comfortable experience. The Port Authority has plans to pilot the technology through three companies in 2026, building on several successful autonomous vehicle pilots at Newark Liberty and JFK airports over the last three years. Conventional electric shuttle buses will remain an option as well. The new Terminal B will be directly adjacent to the AirTrain station.

“The new AirTrain Newark is essential to Newark Liberty’s future,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “It will improve access to the airport, support its continued growth, and knit together the airport’s terminals, rail links, and parking into a modern, unified system. Together with the new award-winning Terminal A and future redevelopment projects, the AirTrain will help deliver the 21st century travel experience that our region deserves.”