Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reports facility volumes for first quarter

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that its commercial airports welcomed 31 million passengers over the first three months of the year. Despite lower totals compared to 2025, underlying demand remains strong with domestic passenger volume growing in March 2026 compared to March 2025 at Newark Liberty International and John F. Kennedy International airports. PATH commuter rail saw its busiest day since the COVID-19 pandemic, with total first-quarter volume growing 8 percent over 2025. The Port of New York and New Jersey was the nation’s busiest cargo gateway in March and handled 2.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) over the first three months of the year, while the agency’s vehicular crossings measured 27.1 million eastbound crossings from January through March.

Airports:

The Port Authority’s commercial airports served 31 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, a 3 percent decline from the same period in 2025. Winter storms in late January and late February, geopolitical conditions affecting international travel demand, and reduced runway activity following the March incident at LaGuardia Airport each contributed to the year-over-year decrease.

Outside of these factors, underlying demand remains strong. Domestic passenger volumes at Newark Liberty International and John F. Kennedy International airports increased 3.7 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively, from March 2025 to March 2026. LaGuardia volume decreased 4.4 percent over the same period, largely due to operational limitations following the runway incident on March 22.

John F. Kennedy International Airport served 13.1 million passengers in the first quarter, a 3.7 percent decline from 2025. Newark Liberty International Airport served 10.8 million passengers, a 1.7 percent decline. LaGuardia Airport served 7 million passengers, a 3.1 percent decline from the same period last year.

Port of New York and New Jersey:

The Port of New York and New Jersey was the nation’s busiest cargo gateway in March 2026, handling 837,993 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Many vessels scheduled to call the port in late February were delayed to early March due to winter weather. March 2026 volume increased 6.9 percent from March 2025.

Over the first three months of the year, the port handled 2,177,694 TEUs. This was a 1.2 percent decrease from the same period of 2025

Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals:

The agency’s six vehicular crossings recorded 27.1 million eastbound vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, a 2.5 percent decline from 2025. Extreme cold temperatures and winter storms in late January and late February were the primary factors affecting vehicle volumes during the quarter.