Latest news with #RickCotton
Travel Weekly
02-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Repaired runway reopens ahead of schedule at Newark Liberty
Newark Liberty Airport's runway 4L-22R has reopened for business nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the airport. The runway was shut down April 15 for repairs, bringing Newark's options down to just two runways and contributing to a host of delays and problems. The reduced capacity exacerbated a well-publicized communication blackout in late April at Newark's air traffic control facility near Philadelphia, which led to a cascade of delays and cancellations. To manage traffic at Newark, United Airlines, which is Newark's primary airline, voluntarily cut back 35 flights a day, and the FAA later stepped in to cap operations at Newark at 56 hourly arrivals and departures. But in the meantime, the Port Authority said, it brought in additional crews, expanded shifts and enabled construction to take place 24/7 to bring the runway back online faster than anticipated. Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton said that although the runway repair work had a scheduled completion date of June 15, "as other issues have arisen related to Newark Liberty's capacity, the Port Authority took on the challenge to speed up construction." DOT secretary Sean Duffy praised the timeline, saying that it "puts us on a path to further reducing congestion." The $128 million project included milling and paving the runway surface, updating lighting, improving airfield signs with LED lighting, installing new underground electrical infrastructure and improving drainage, the Port Authority said. United CEO: FAA flight caps at Newark helped In an interview with journalist Kate Linebaugh the Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything event last week, United CEO Scott Kirby said that with the FAA managing takeoff and landing capacity, Newark would likely be "the most reliable" of the New York airports this summer. "We had the best weekend in history for reliability at Newark over the Memorial Day holiday," he said. "It's likely going to be the most reliable; you have highest on-time performance of any of the New York-area airports this summer because of the changes at the FAA." And, he added, "because we lost a lot of bookings ... there's more seats available, it's going to be the cheapest it's probably ever going to be in history. I don't really like that, but you ought to book, and it's going to be the least crowded." Kirby said that once the runway construction was completed United could return some of its cut capacity to Newark, from 280 daily flights up to 380 -- but still down from about 440 last year. "I think we'll have it permanently," Kirby said of the FAA traffic management. "That's going to fix Newark. That's the one thing — it's the only thing that we needed, and it's getting done."
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some good news at Newark Liberty: Port Authority to reopen a runway 13 days early
The Port Authority announced that it plans to reopen one of its runways undergoing repairs at Newark Liberty International Airport 13 days ahead of schedule. The runway, known as 4L-22R, had been completely shut down since April 15 for a $121 million routine rehabilitation and was scheduled to reopen June 15. It is now scheduled to open June 2. During the closure, the Port Authority worked with United, the anchor airline at the airport, and other airlines to reduce flights during the construction. While Newark Airport has two other runways, one can't be used when certain crosswinds are present and had been under-utilized by air traffic controllers during this period.A Port Authority official said that was a consequence of the air traffic controller staffing issues also experienced at Newark Airport. "As other issues have arisen related to Newark Liberty's capacity, the Port Authority took on the challenge to speed up the construction," said Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "We are pleased to be able to return the runway nearly two weeks ahead of schedule without compromising safety and quality.' The Port Authority said it was able to accomplish the work more quickly by "bringing in additional crews, expanding shifts, and enabling construction to take place 24 hours a day, seven days a week," an agency statement said. More: Newark Airport reported 10% drop in Memorial Day travelers, but 'normal operations' Problems at the airport heightened on April 28 when the Philadelphia TRACON — or terminal radar approach control center, which navigates Newark's air space — experienced telecom and radar feed glitches at the same time and resulted in a 30-90 second blackout. The incident led to 20% of the Philadelphia TRACON air traffic controllers going on trauma leave, which further reduced staffing at the facility that was only 63% staffed — even though Newark is one of the busiest and most complicated air spaces in the world. There have been several subsequent blackouts as old infrastructure has failed and data feeds experienced glitches while being rerouted to Philadelphia. All of this has led to major disruption at Newark Airport, where thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed and airlines have further reduced the number of flights in order to create some stability. Currently, just 56 arrivals and departures can take off an hour at Newark. Normally, 77 flights arrive and depart an hour there. From June 15 through Oct. 15, the number of flights landing and taking off per hour will increase to 68 per hour. The early reopening of the runway could bring back more stability to the airport as it prepares for the busy summer schedule. The runway will still get closed down on weeknights and weekends through the end of 2025 as other parts of the project are completed, including milling, repaving, updating the lighting, adding new airfield signs, upgrading underground electrical infrastructure and making drainage improvements. 'I'm grateful for New Jersey's partnership with the Port Authority and the FAA as we work to return to full capacity at Newark Airport," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. "New Jersey will do all we can to support plans from the USDOT to invest in modernizing our air traffic control system and fully staffing our air traffic controllers." This article originally appeared on Newark Liberty Airport runway to reopen 13 days early
New York Post
12-05-2025
- New York Post
World's top 20 airports for 2025 revealed — and the US had a dreadful showing
A new ranking has revealed the world's best airport — and a record has been broken. Singapore Changi Airport has been crowned the world's best airport for 2025, according to the Skytrax World Airport Awards. It's a record-busting 13th time the hub, one of the busiest passenger airports for Southeast Asia, has won the title from the rating service. 3 A bridge links to the Rain Vortex dome at the Jewel shopping mall at Singapore Changi Airport. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images The only airport in the Americas to make the world's best list was Vancouver International at No. 13. However, the Skytrax ranking for Best Airport in North America saw one of New York's take a top spot. LaGuardia Airport was named the best in the nifty 50 for domestic and short-haul international travel. 'A decade ago, the suggestion that LaGuardia Airport would one day be recognized on the world stage as the best regional airport in North America would have been laughable,' Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton admitted in a statement. 'But the Port Authority and our private partners have built what we promised – a world-class airport, with inspiring architecture, public art, iconic concessions and state-of-the-art technology that has propelled LaGuardia from worst to best in the nation in the eyes of the critics and passengers alike.' It's an improvement from last year's fourth-place spot for LGA. Plaisted added that 'LaGuardia Airport's evolution over the past decade is nothing short of extraordinary.' Back to the list-topper, Singapore Changi Airport is known for its unrivaled passenger experience — but it's also a destination within itself. It features a 10-story shopping mall, multiple indoor gardens, a butterfly center, a spa, hotels, art exhibitions, a museum, a cinema, a dinosaur theme park and the Rain Vortex, which is the world's largest indoor waterfall at around 130 feet tall. Early check-in has even been introduced there, allowing flyers to drop their bags off up to 48 hours in advance so they can spend time at the much-appreciated stop as part of their vacation. Changi also received other awards from Skytrax, including the World's Best Airport Dining, the Best Airport in Asia, and its first-ever award for World's Best Airport Washrooms. 3 Tourists sleep on sofas in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4. ruelleruelle/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 'The diversity and expansive choice of dining outlets is also recognized with Changi Airport winning the award for the World's Best Airport Dining,' Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said in a statement. 'With washrooms being a major driver of customer satisfaction during their airport experience, we congratulate Singapore Changi Airport on receiving the first ever World's Best Airport Washrooms award.' The world's second-best airport, according to the report, is Hamad International in Qatar, known for its artwork and architecture. It also won awards for Best Airport Shipping and Best Airport in the Middle East. Spots three through six were nabbed by Asian airports. Tokyo Haneda, also named the World's Cleanest Airport, came in third place. Fourth was Seoul's Incheon International, which was also awarded World's Best Airport Staff, followed by Narita International in fifth and Hong Kong International in sixth. 3 The Rain Vortex at Singapore Changi Airport is the world's largest indoor waterfall, at around 130 feet tall. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images World's top 20 airports for 2025 Singapore Changi Airport Hamad International Airport Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) Incheon International Airport Narita International Airport Hong Kong International Airport Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Rome Fiumicino Airport Munich Airport Zurich Airport Dubai International Airport Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Vancouver International Airport Istanbul Airport Vienna International Airport Melbourne Airport Chubu Centrair International Airport Copenhagen Airport Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Bahrain International Airport
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LaGuardia dubbed ‘Best Airport' as construction wraps up
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Passengers and officials at LaGuardia Airport are saying it has gone from the worst to the best. Construction to rebuild the airport in East Elmhurst, Queens began in 2016. More Local News Final work on Terminal C, which is home to Delta Airlines, wrapped on New Year's Eve. Terminal B was also torn down and rebuilt. The entire $8 billion project was a partnership between LaGuardia Gateway Partners, Delta Airlines, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages airport operations in the region. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State On Tuesday, Forbes Travel Guide declared LaGuardia the 'Best Airport in the United States.' The distinction is based on feedback from 5,000 top travelers and industry experts. 'This award m recognizes the quality and our focus on function and passenger experience,' said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. Delta Airlines says new gate designs allow for smoother and more efficient flow and operations. Two-thirds of the project cost was paid for by the private partners. Major projects are underway at Newark-Liberty International and John F. Kennedy airports. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top 10 2024 toll cheaters to pay over $1M to Port Authority
NEW YORK (PIX11) — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey intensified its toll evasion crackdown in 2024. On Wednesday, the agency said 10 toll cheaters were ordered to pay the Port Authority the largest civil judgments in 2024, totaling more than $1 million. More Local News 'Toll evaders are not only breaking the law by avoiding their legal obligations on our roads, but they're depriving our infrastructure of much-needed funds for maintenance and upgrades,' said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. 'With this record number of summonses, we're sending an unmistakable signal that toll enforcement is a top priority, and drivers who don't obey the law will face consequences.' The top 10 toll cheats were ordered to pay the largest civil judgments to the Port Authority. Debtor City/State Judgment Amount Mid Haulers LLC Linden, N.J. $341,779.15 Worldwide Jubilee International LLC Laurelton, N.Y. $143,399.40 Kia Trucking Inc. Jersey City, N.J. $130,354.88 River Street Idealease LLC Hackensack, N.J. $101,743.53 Lula Grant Englewood, N.J. $78,712.25 Miguelina Gross New York, N.Y. $55,185.71 BMT Logistics Vineland, N.J. $52,674.33 Alex S. Bartusiavicius Avenel and East Brunswick, N.J. $52,276.07 JMS VIP Limo Worldwide Corp. Englewood, N.J. $52,242.50 James Twine Jr. Somerset, N.J. $46,426.83 In 2024, more than 7,000 summonses were issued across six bridges and tunnels, an increase of 27 percent. This effort uncovered $18 million in unpaid tolls and administrative fees. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey warns that motorists who do not pay their bills may have their vehicle registrations suspended and their cars towed by law enforcement. In 2024, 850 vehicles were taken in due to suspended registrations. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
