Newark for the first time grabbed the top spot with 32 million passengers. Kennedy ushered through 31.5 million while LaGuardia handled 22 million passengers, according to Port Authority figures. A recent federal report predicted that regional commuter jets will account for a major portion of the passenger growth, about 5.5 percent per year through 2009. Smaller facilities, such as MacArthur Airport on Long Island, Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, Westchester County Airport and Stewart Airport near Newburgh are expected to see significant growth. But that growth is not expected to come at the expense of the three major airports.
Manhattan is the region's core.
While passenger loads are expected to grow at Kennedy to 50 million by 2015, the Port Authority estimates Newark is projected to reach 45 million and LaGuardia will increase to about 30 million. When fully operational in 2005, the redesigned airspace will allow aircraft to fly more direct routes, saving time, fuel and opening space for additional capacity. We don't have much space left. To meet the challenge of managing the crowds on the ground, expect some turbulence at Kennedy, especially in the form of more construction-related delays that will continue through 2009. The most sweeping changes to come will be the new rail service bringing passengers directly to the airport's six scattered terminals.