Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is on track to resume regular runway operations on Monday, June 2, two weeks ahead of schedule. This announcement was made by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in collaboration with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, on Friday. The airport’s Runway 4L-22R was closed for planned rehabilitation, which began in early March.
The Port Authority, along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been working to restore the airport’s capacity. The rehabilitation project, which cost $121 million, involved improvements to passenger-facing areas, taxiways, and runways. This is part of the EWR Vision Plan, a multi-billion-dollar investment that aims to handle more aircraft and reduce delays by redesigning terminals, infrastructure, and taxiways.
The completed rehabilitation project on Runway 4L-22R, which is 11,000 feet long, included upgrades to drainage, lighting, pavement, and other essential elements. The Port Authority coordinated the necessary weeknight and weekend closures with the FAA and airlines over a year in advance to minimize operational disruptions. The complete 24/7 shutdown began on April 15 and was expected to end on June 15.
The Hill reported that the upgrades also include major improvements to telecommunications infrastructure and manpower. As part of this, Verizon signed a $2. 4 billion 15-year contract with the FAA to enhance air traffic control (ATC) operations. US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy congratulated the Port Authority on completing the new runway ahead of schedule and highlighted their partnership in improving the telecoms infrastructure and staffing pipeline for the airspace.
Newark Airport has faced several operational challenges since April 2025, resulting in a high number of delayed or canceled flights. These challenges have brought attention to the outdated ATC system and the need for investment and staffing. According to NPR, there have been at least three instances where ATC systems were unable to maintain communication with aircraft, causing delays ranging from 30 to 90 seconds.
These issues are not unique to Newark Airport, as the broader ATC network also faces underinvestment in aging communications systems and a staffing shortage of over 3,000 controllers. A whistleblower told NPR that the recent problems at Newark could be a result of the FAA’s move of ATC authority from Long Island to Philadelphia last year.
To address these challenges and transform Newark Airport into a top-tier facility, the Port Authority has created a Vision Plan. This multi-phase plan aims to tackle traffic, infrastructure, and sustainability issues and meet the growing demands of travelers and airlines. The plan, which is set to continue until 2065, was developed through a collaborative process involving over 200 stakeholder meetings and air travel projections.
The first major step in the airport’s transformation was the opening of the new Terminal A in 2023. This award-winning terminal offers a glimpse of what EWR will become in the future.