PANYNJ Advances $3.5-Billion AirTrain Newark Replacement Project

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced the start of the next major phase of construction on the new AirTrain Newark system, with work beginning on the guideway and track structure between the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station and the P4 station.

This phase of construction will require ongoing weekday service outages between the P4 station and the Airport Train Station that links to Northeast Corridor (NEC) services for NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak. To maintain connectivity during the outage, the Port Authority will operate a robust shuttle bus system serving all airport terminals, rental car facilities, and parking locations.

The new $3.5 billion automated system will replace the existing AirTrain, which opened in 1996 and has become outdated, over capacity, and unable to accommodate Newark Liberty’s rapid growth.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 will allow for expanded passenger capacity, greater reliability and flexible connectivity in conjunction with the airport’s redevelopment plan. It is expected to begin first passenger service in 2030.

“Replacing AirTrain Newark is critical to the future of Newark Liberty International Airport,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This next phase of construction moves that work from planning to visible progress, while ensuring travelers continue to have reliable ways to reach terminals, parking, and transit connections during construction.”

“This project is about building a system that can keep pace with Newark Liberty’s growth for decades to come,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We appreciate passengers’ patience during these temporary changes, enabling us to advance construction of a modern, high-capacity AirTrain that will deliver a smoother, more dependable experience for millions of passengers each year.”

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 15, AirTrain Newark service to and from the Airport Train Station will be replaced by shuttle buses on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to construction activity. Bus shuttles will run every four to five minutes. Passengers should allow up to 15 minutes of additional travel time during the AirTrain outages. AirTrain Newark will continue operating between the P4, Terminal C, Terminal B, P3, and Terminal A stations.

AirTrain Newark will operate normally on weekends. All outages will pause during the peak travel season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, resuming in September 2026. Outages will pause again during the holiday travel season between Oct. 30, 2026, and Jan. 15, 2027. Additional AirTrain outages are planned in 2027 and 2028 as work progresses, with details of those impacts shared at a future date.

For passengers arriving at the Airport Train Station via NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak, shuttle buses will provide transportation to all terminals, rental car pickup, and P4 daily parking. Passengers should follow signage and the direction of airport customer experience specialists wearing red coats.

For passengers departing on NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak from the Airport Train Station, passengers coming from terminals B or C should board the AirTrain from their airport terminal to the P4 station and utilize shuttle buses to the Airport Train Station. Passengers coming from Terminal A can utilize shuttle buses to the Airport Train Station.

AirTrain Newark Outage Detour Information:

AirTrain service will remain in operation between the Terminal A, P3 (hotel shuttles), Terminal B, Terminal C, and P4 daily parking stations. The dedicated shuttle bus from airport terminals to the P6 economy parking lot will continue operating without changes.

All shuttle buses are ADA-compliant. During outage periods, airport staff will be available to assist travelers with disabilities and those carrying heavy or oversized luggage. For immediate assistance, passengers may call 973-961-6000 or use WhatsApp chat support. Elevators and stairs provide access to all AirTrain station platforms. Passengers needing special assistance are encouraged to coordinate in advance with their airline or travel agent.

This marks the next major phase of construction on the Port Authority’s $3.5 billion AirTrain Newark replacement project. 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 percent 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 in 1996, the airport served approximately 30 million passengers each year. In 2024, Newark Liberty welcomed nearly 50 million passengers.

The new AirTrain system will be better positioned to meet the needs of the redeveloped and modernized 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.