Travelers might want to wait a little bit bit longer to take pleasure in Newark’s beautiful new Terminal A.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), introduced on Monday that it was delaying the opening of the brand new $2.7 billion facility.
The 1-million-square-foot terminal, which was initially slated to open on Thursday, Dec. 8, will now welcome flyers starting early subsequent 12 months. The delay was blamed on some last-minute operational readiness assessments associated to the ability’s fireplace alarms and safety programs.
While these programs are anticipated to be operational in a matter of days, the Port Authority‘s airline partners decided they did not want to open a new facility just days before what’s anticipated to be one of many busiest vacation journey seasons on document.
So, as an alternative of pushing the opening by every week or two, the Port Authority will transfer the opening to early January 2023.
In an announcement, the company’s director of company communications Thomas Pietrykoski shared that “whereas we had focused the beginning of passenger operations at Newark’s new Terminal A for December eighth, the fireplace alarm and safety programs have but to move their last assessments. We anticipate these points to be resolved shortly. In response to issues expressed by airways about opening a brand-new facility through the peak vacation journey interval, the Port Authority will open the brand new Terminal A to the general public in early January.”
The terminal has been within the works since 2018, and it ushers in a brand new period for the airport that’s traditionally been regarded one of many worst within the nation. It spells maybe the largest passenger-facing improve but for Newark, and it’ll be a large enchancment in comparison with the outdated Terminal A, which is able to shut along side the opening of the brand new facility.
Of course, vacationers passing by means of the airport within the coming weeks could have been excited to take a look at the brand new facility, however the roughly month-long delay should not have a lot, if any, affect on operations, particularly contemplating that no airline had already moved into the brand new terminal.
When it opens, Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and United Airlines (solely choose flights) will function from the brand new Terminal A. Delta Air Lines plans to maneuver into the brand new terminal when the second part of development opens subsequent 12 months.
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Despite the delay, vacationers ought to positively be counting down the times till the brand new facility opens. That’s as a result of it brings a slew of upgrades to the passenger expertise.
This contains an overhauled and modernized check-in expertise with centralized safety, new spacious gate areas and different world-class facilities, reminiscent of attractive artwork shows and a number of energy shops at every seat, which is able to make transiting by means of Newark considerably extra comfy and environment friendly.
Be positive to take a look at TPG’s detailed first-look evaluate for a deep dive into all of the upgrades.