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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced this week that 2024 marked the busiest year ever at the agency’s commercial airports.

Last year, a total 145.9 million air passengers flew through Newark Liberty International (EWR), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), and New York Stewart International (SWF) airports.

That figure breaks the previous record of 143.8 million set in 2023. The agency also reported record international travel demand – 52.3 million passengers in 2024 – eclipsing the previous high set in pre-pandemic 2019 (50.9 million passengers).

Other key 2024 stats from the Port Authority include:

• Domestic passengers total: 93.6 million, just shy of the previous record set in 2023 (94.2 million)
• Passenger volume:
  • • EWR – 48.9 million (flat year over year)
    • JFK – 63.3 million (up 2% from 2023)
    • LGA – 33.5 million (up 4% from 2023)
    • SWF – 277,000 (up 9% percent from 2023)
• Record-breaking year capped by a record-breaking December and holiday travel period – marking the busiest December ever for the Port Authority airports; 12.5 million passengers traveled during that time (up 5% over December 2023)
• During the holiday peak travel period of Dec. 21, 2024, to Jan. 2, 2025, 5.5 million passengers traveled through agency airports. The figures marked the busiest Christmas/new year travel period on record (7% percent higher from the previous record, set in 2023)

‘A full post-pandemic recovery’

In a press release, the Port Authority noted the extensive redevelopment projects it has taken at these airports, including the new, award-winning Terminal A at EWR – which NJBIZ has extensively reported on.

This October, the Port Authority unveiled the EWR Vision Plan, which calls for a reimagining of the airport complete with modern terminals, infrastructure and more.

LaGuardia and JFK have also received awards stemming from massive redevelopment projects at those facilities.

“Reaching nearly 146 million passengers in 2024 is a remarkable milestone and reflects the success of our unprecedented $30 billion in airport redevelopments,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This record number of travelers signifies a full post-pandemic recovery and highlights the success we’ve seen modernizing the region’s airports into world-class gateways.”

Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said the agency is laser-focused on its commitment to creating a modern world-class experience for all who travel through the region.

“A second consecutive record-breaking year, along with record-breaking international travel, is extraordinary,” said Cotton. “These numbers are a powerful affirmation of our ambitious vision and the remarkable transformation taking place at our airports to bring sleek new best in-class terminals, upgraded passenger amenities and cutting-edge infrastructure to this region.”

“As we transform Newark Liberty and JFK, the influx of passengers – especially the record-breaking demand for international travel – demonstrates that the future of air travel in New York and New Jersey is stronger than ever,” said O’Toole.

Getting around:

• Hoboken PATH station closes for construction this week
• Midtown Bus Terminal project receives nearly $2B federal loan
• NYC starts controversial congestion pricing program (updated)