Travelers using Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark airports at record rate
About 440,000 more passengers traveled out of LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark Liberty airports during the first three months of this year than during the same period in 2023. Above, Terminal C at LaGuardia. Credit: Bloomberg/Angus Mordant
A record 32.4 million travelers flew in and out of Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports during the year's first quarter, continuing a post-pandemic surge from 2023, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
About 440,000 more passengers traveled out of the three international airports than during the first three months of 2023, said officials with the Port Authority, which operates the airports. Last year marked the busiest year ever for the three airports, with 144 million travelers.
Travel numbers for 2024's first quarter, which ended March 31, broke last year’s previous record of 32 million passengers, which was about 1 million more than in pre-pandemic 2019.
“I think it says we’re past the really severe impacts at the height of the pandemic. We’ve been using 2019 as the marker and the passenger volumes have been succeeding that since 2023,” said Aidan O’Donnell, the Port Authority’s deputy director of aviation. “Travel demand is back and here to stay through the summer and the peak travel season.”
In March alone, 12 million travelers passed through the airports, surpassed only by the record number last year, Port Authority officials said.
Air traffic has rebounded since the pandemic and passenger numbers have increased as airlines have used larger planes carrying more passengers, said Robert Mann, a Port Washington aviation consultant and airline industry analyst.
“Demand in New York is very strong. They don’t risk the cost of operating flights unless it’s profitable and fairly full. This says airlines are bullish on the demand for New York flights,” he said, adding that travelers are responding positively to recent renovations at LaGuardia.
Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma also saw a 20% increase in the first quarter from last year, Islip Town officials said. During the first three months of the year, the airport saw 168,500 departures and 166,500 arrivals, totaling 335,000 passengers.
The Port Authority is working with Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Safety Administration to prepare for the summer travel season, O’Donnell said.
Passengers flying out of LaGuardia and Liberty will see newly renovated terminals. Kennedy's international terminals are undergoing a $19.5 billion redevelopment set for completion in 2028.
Passengers are urged to reserve parking in advance and arrive two hours before domestic travel and three hours ahead for international flights.
“Customers will experience construction, but we are making sure they get to where they need to go,” O’Donnell said. “It’s going to be busy, but we’re prepared to handle it and continuing to set records and deliver a world-class customer experience.”
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
