The New York metropolitan area has the busiest airport system in the United States and the second busiest in the world after London. It is also the most frequently used port of entry and departure for international flights. In 2011, more than 104 million passengers used the airports under the auspices of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ).[1][2] The number increased to 117 million in 2014.[3]
The metro area is served by three major airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which have been operated by the Port Authority since 1947.[4] The International Air Transport Association airport code (IATA code) "NYC" was reserved to refer to the three airports until 2022; Newark now only uses EWR.[5] JFK and Newark are connected to regional rail systems by AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark respectively.
The class B airspace used by the three airports is extremely congested. Despite caps placed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) limiting the number of flights per hour, they rank among the top five in the United States for delays.[6][7]
In addition to JFK, EWR, and LGA, there are satellite or reliever airports in the metro area that provide additional commercial air carrier service, albeit on a much smaller scale,[8] as well as numerous general aviation airports, heliports, and seaplane bases.
Under the terms of agreements with the City of New York, dated April 17, 1947, and with the City of Newark, dated October 22, 1947, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is responsible for the improvement, development, operation and maintenance of LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.