- Spanish airport operator Aena handled nearly 243 million passengers last year, or 88.5 percent of 2019 levels, it reported last week. Notably, passenger numbers through its 46 airports in December were at 98 percent of three years earlier. Madrid Barajas, Aena’s largest airport and a major hub for Iberia, saw 50.6 million passengers, while Barcelona El Prat saw 41.6 million in 2022.
- The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey opened the $2.7 billion Terminal A at Newark Liberty airport on January 12. The ceremonial first arrival was a United flight, while Air Canada, American, and JetBlue all began using the facility the same day. The opening was planned for December but delayed a month to avoid opening over the busy holiday travel period. Terminal A is the latest in a multi-billion capital program to upgrade New York City’s airports; new terminals have opened at LaGuardia in recent years, and work is underway on a major overhaul to the terminals at JFK.
Edward Russell
January 17th, 2023