Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A just swept the Oscars of the aviation world.
Terminal A is officially world class, being named the best new airport terminal in the world by global airport evaluation firm Skytrax.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because the new $2.7 billion terminal was awarded a prestigious 5-star rating by Skytrax, a preeminent aviation industry rating firm last month officials also took possession of Wednesday.
The latest accolades for Terminal A were announced Wednesday at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards held Wednesday at the Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference in Frankfurt, Germany.
Port Authority officials including board chairman Kevin O’Toole and James Heitmann, aviation director flew to Germany to accept both honors at what’s considered the aviation industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.
“We are absolutely thrilled, it really goes to the visionary work of Port Authority employees and the amazing vision and can do attitude of the Port Authority,” O’Toole said in a phone call about about receiving both awards.
The best new airport terminal award is voted on by the people, Heitmann said, adding he is proud for New Jersey and the region.
“This award covers new airport terminals that have opened in the previous 18 months of the 2024 World Airport Awards, and covers the full range of airport facilities, staff services and customer experience evaluation,” Edward Plaisted, Skytrax CEO said in a statement. “It is pleasing to see such a high standard being delivered here at Terminal A, which is very worthy of their award as the world’s best new airport terminal.”
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Skytrax was started in 1989 and introduced the World Airline and Airport Star Rating system in 1999. Its rating is considered a global benchmark of airport excellence. This now gives the Port Authority two “best in the world terminals” after LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B was the first North American facility to be honored by Skytrax in March 2023.
Skytrax makes its awards based on a detailed audit of the terminal’s facilities, operations, customer service and an assessment of an airport’s product and front-line service standards.
“Winning best terminal has to pass another standard, the opinions of actual airport passenger,” said Lutz Weisser, managing director of Munich Airport International, which operates Terminal A.
“Seeing that Terminal A is not only convincing auditors but is also loved by passengers shows us that we have managed to create an extraordinary travel experience at Terminal A,” he said. “I am tremendously proud of the whole team who excels passenger expectations every day.”
From the terminals distinctly New Jersey aesthetic to the first-rate amenities and home-grown attractions, Gov. Phil Murphy called it a point of pride for the Garden State.
“This is a tremendously well-deserved honor for the flagship of the Port Authority’s ongoing renaissance at Newark Liberty International Airport,” Murphy said. “It’s no surprise that the industry’s leader has bestowed one of its highest honors on this facility.”
The new Terminal A replaced a 50-year old building that was constructed before modern security screening requirements.
“We believe strongly that our region deserves nothing but the best, and Newark Liberty has delivered the best new facility in the world for the state of New Jersey,” Kevin O’Toole, Port Authority Board of Commissioners chairman said. “As a native New Jerseyan, I am incredibly proud that passengers selected Terminal A for this global recognition.”
The $2.7 billion, 1 million-square-foot terminal opened to the public on Jan. 12, 2023, when the first 21 gates and retail shops opened in the east and west wings, followed by 15 gates the south wing that opened in August.
Despite the staggered openings, Terminal A was used by 15 million passengers in its first year of operation, 5 million more than the 50-year-old terminal it replaced. That was 10% higher than officials projected.
The terminal also saw the opening of three airline lounges last year, with a fourth premium lounge, the 17,000-square- foot American Express Centurion, scheduled to open in 2026.
Other openings included a pre-security sensory room that offers neurodivergent travelers and their families a calm space away from the bustle of the airport. A second sensory room is planned in the main post-security airport area.
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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry
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