United seeks bigger planes, new terminal Newark

Scott Kirby used a Newark event on Monday to press for a larger buildout at United Airlines’ biggest New York-area hub. The United chief executive said the airline wants to fly bigger aircraft, add back flights and work with airport officials on a new Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport. Kirby tied that push to recent operating data, saying Newark had become the most on-time major airport in the Northeast so far this year and that United carried nearly 5.8 million passengers there in May. ### Why is United asking for bigger planes and more flights now? Kirby said Monday that Newark’s recent performance gave United a case for expanding there rather than holding capacity flat. He said the airline wants “bigger planes, more flights and a new Terminal B,” according to NJ Advance Media’s account of the event. (nj.com) United has been making the same argument in its own public messaging. The airline said Newark has led major Northeast airports in on-time performance in 2026, a claim repeated in trade coverage that cited United figures and airport data summaries. ### What numbers is Kirby using to make the case? The clearest figure Kirby cited was 5.8 million. He said United flew nearly 5.8 million passengers in May at Newark, according to Business Travel Executive and other reports based on the company’s remarks. (nj.com) Memorial Day was the second data point. (united.com) Kirby said United carried about 3 million passengers across its network over the holiday period and that nearly 70% arrived on time, figures he used to argue that the airline and airport were handling heavy demand better than they had during last year’s disruptions. (businesstravelexecutive.com) ### What does a new Terminal B mean at Newark? Terminal B is Newark’s main international arrivals facility outside United’s dedicated Terminal C operation. Kirby said United wants to collaborate on a replacement or redevelopment of Terminal B as part of a broader airport upgrade, according to NJ Advance Media. (businesstravelexecutive.com) The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has already been reshaping Newark’s terminal footprint in recent years, including the opening of Terminal A. Kirby’s comments put United on record seeking the next major piece of that buildout while also asking for restored flying rights and larger gauge aircraft. (nj.com) ### Is there still a risk that customs problems could cut international flights? Markwayne Mullin, the Homeland Security secretary, said he does not plan to suspend international processing at Newark. Reports on Tuesday and Wednesday said Mullin saw no need to halt customs processing there, easing an immediate concern that international arrivals could be curtailed during the summer travel season. (nj.com) That matters because Newark’s international operation depends on federal inspection staffing and processing capacity as much as airline schedules. A halt in processing would have forced carriers to rework flights or move traffic elsewhere; Mullin’s comments indicated that step is not currently planned. (theepochtimes.com) ### What happens next for United and Newark? Any expansion beyond current flying patterns would require coordination among United, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Port Authority and federal border agencies. Kirby’s ask covered three separate pieces — aircraft size, flight levels and terminal infrastructure — and each runs on a different timetable. (theepochtimes.com) The next visible step is likely to come from airport and airline planning decisions around Terminal B and Newark slot or schedule allocations. For now, the public markers are the passenger and on-time figures Kirby cited this week and Mullin’s statement that international processing at Newark will continue. (nj.com)