Route Development
Port Authority Tests Autonomous Shuttles at Newark Airport in 2026
Port Authority of NY & NJ pilots autonomous shuttle buses at Newark Airport with three companies to support new AirTrain Newark system opening in 2030.

Port Authority Launches Autonomous Shuttle Pilot at Newark Airports
On February 25, 2026, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) announced a significant step toward modernizing airport transit by partnering with three autonomous vehicle (AV) companies to conduct pilot tests at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The initiative, scheduled to run from March through May 2026, aims to evaluate self-driving technologies as viable solutions for connecting airport facilities with the new AirTrain Newark system, which is currently under construction and slated to open in 2030.
According to the Port Authority’s announcement, the agency has selected Oceaneering, Ohmio, and Glydways to operate test vehicles in a non-public area of the airport. The trials are designed to simulate a “high-capacity shuttle network” capable of bridging the “last-mile” gap between fixed rail stations and specific terminals or parking areas.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole emphasized the agency’s long-standing interest in AV technology in a statement regarding the launch:
“We have been working with self-driving technology successfully for many years… and believe autonomous shuttles offer a safe, efficient solution for moving passengers while we concurrently work to build a new AirTrain Newark and the brand-new Terminal B.”
Pilot Program Timeline and Scope
The pilot program is structured to test distinct technological approaches over a three-month period in Spring 2026. Each technology partner will operate for a two-week window to demonstrate their system’s capabilities in a complex airport environment. The schedule is as follows:
- March 2026: Oceaneering (United States)
- Late March 2026: Ohmio (New Zealand)
- May 2026: Glydways (United States)
The primary goal of these tests is to qualify these firms for a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) that the Port Authority may issue in 2027. By evaluating performance now, the agency seeks to identify systems that can seamlessly integrate with the $3.5 billion AirTrain replacement project.
The Technology Partnerships
The selected companies represent three different philosophies regarding autonomous transit, ranging from traditional shuttles to personal rapid transit pods.
Oceaneering, a major industrial engineering firm, will deploy high-capacity Group Rapid Transport (GRT) shuttles. Utilizing Revo-GT technology (formerly 2getthere), these Level 4 autonomous vehicles are designed for dedicated lanes and can carry approximately 22 passengers. Oceaneering has previously deployed similar systems at airports and entertainment districts globally.
Ohmio returns to Port Authority territory after a successful demonstration at JFK Airport in June 2023. The New Zealand-based company will test the Ohmio LIFT, a modular electric shuttle capable of carrying up to 20 passengers. A key feature of Ohmio’s technology is “platooning,” which allows multiple vehicles to virtually connect and move together like a train without physical couplers.
Glydways offers a radically different concept known as Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). Instead of large buses, Glydways utilizes smaller, 4-passenger “pods” that run on dedicated, narrow lanes approximately 5 feet wide. This system relies on continuous, on-demand flow rather than batch processing passengers, aiming to provide point-to-point service without intermediate stops.
Strategic Context: Bridging the Gap
The impetus for this pilot is the ongoing replacement of the aging AirTrain Newark. Construction on the new system began in October 2025, and the new alignment, set to open in 2030, will not directly reach every facility. Specifically, the future Terminal B and certain parking lots may require flexible transit links to connect passengers to the new rail stations.
Kathryn Garcia, Port Authority Executive Director, noted the necessity of adaptable infrastructure:
“We are building a new Newark Liberty that meets the demands of the next generation of travel, so we must embrace a future that is inclusive of all the different ways we can move this region.”
This initiative follows a series of AV tests conducted by the PANYNJ, including platooning tests in the Lincoln Tunnel’s Exclusive Bus Lane in 2022 and mixed-traffic shuttle tests at Newark Airport in 2023 and 2024.
AirPro News Market-Analysis
The Port Authority’s decision to test three distinct AV modalities, heavy shuttles, platooning modular buses, and personal pods, signals a shift in airport infrastructure planning. Historically, airports have relied on heavy, fixed-rail “people movers” that are expensive to build and impossible to move once constructed. By exploring autonomous rubber-tire solutions, Newark Liberty is acknowledging that future terminal layouts (such as the planned Terminal B replacement) require flexible transit options that can be rerouted as construction evolves.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Glydways suggests the agency is seriously considering a departure from traditional mass transit “batching” in favor of personalized, on-demand transport for the final leg of the passenger journey. If successful, this could redefine how passengers navigate the often-stressful transition between rail links and terminal gates.
Sources
Photo Credit: Port Authority of NY & NJ
Route Development
Edinburgh Airport Announces £500 Million Expansion Plan
Edinburgh Airport unveils a £500 million plan to expand its terminal by 60% and add eight new departure gates by 2027.

Edinburgh Airports (EDI) has unveiled a £500 million ($670 million) capital investment program designed to expand its terminal footprint by 60 percent and add eight new departure gates over the next five years.
Announced in a press release on September 21, 2026, the multi-year development marks the largest infrastructure investment in the Scottish hub’s history. The project aims to accommodate growing passenger volumes while modernizing facilities under the ownership of VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). According to reporting by Aviation Week, the airport handled approximately 17 million passengers in 2025.
Terminal expansion and construction timeline
The cornerstone of the initial development phase is the South East Pier Expansion (SEPEX). Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty secured the approximately £65 million contract for this phase in May 2025.
The two-story expansion will provide eight additional departure gates, new aircraft stands, and upgraded passenger amenities. According to the airport’s announcement, this first phase of the development is scheduled to fully open to passengers in the summer of 2027.
Nick Rowan, Managing Director for Scotland at Balfour Beatty, stated the company is proud to help deliver the infrastructure required for the airport’s next chapter of growth. A spokesperson for VINCI Airports and GIP noted the £500 million investment underscores their long-term commitment to increasing capacity and consolidating the facility’s role as Scotland’s primary international gateway.
Economic impact and leadership transition
The capital injection aligns with a period of significant transition for the airport’s executive team. On October 1, 2026, Mark Johnston, currently Chief Operating Officer at London Gatwick Airport (LGW), will succeed Gordon Dewar as Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport. Dewar is stepping down after 14 years in the role, a tenure that saw annual passenger traffic nearly double from 9 million in 2012.
Dewar described the £500 million program as the biggest investment in the airport’s history, adding that the growth has cemented the facility’s position as Scotland’s busiest and best-connected airport.
The development also carries broader regional implications. An independent report published by BiGGAR Economics indicated that Edinburgh Airport generated £2.7 billion in economic value for Scotland in 2025 and supported nearly 44,000 jobs. First Minister of Scotland John Swinney stated the investment will support international connections and help drive regional economic growth.
AirPro News analysis
We view this £500 million commitment by VINCI Airports and GIP as a strong indicator of long-term confidence in the Scottish aviation market. By expanding the terminal footprint by 60 percent, Edinburgh Airport is proactively addressing the capacity constraints that often plague growing regional hubs. The timing of the announcement, arriving just days before Mark Johnston assumes the Chief Executive role, provides the incoming leadership with a clear, fully funded mandate for infrastructure modernization. The addition of eight new gates will likely allow the airport to attract new airline operators and expand its route network, particularly in the transatlantic and European leisure markets.
Sources: Edinburgh Airport
Photo Credit: Edinburgh Airport
Route Development
JFK New Terminal One Opens Off-Site Logistics Hub
JFK’s New Terminal One and JCM open an 83,500-sq-ft consolidated logistics hub to reduce airfield truck traffic.

This article summarizes reporting by Metropolitan Airport News and a press release from The New Terminal One.
The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and JCM Business Solutions have commenced operations at an 83,500-square-foot off-site logistics hub designed to remove third-party delivery trucks from the active airfield.
The Consolidated Receiving and Distribution Center (CRDC) screens and consolidates all inbound terminal goods before they reach the airport perimeter. The facility operates in full compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) security protocols.
Operational security and airfield decongestion
Located approximately three miles from the airport in Jamaica, Queens, the standalone JCM Logistics Complex occupies a full city block. Metropolitan Airport News reported on September 22, 2026, that the facility utilizes a controlled security environment featuring clearly defined secured and non-secured zones. All logistics and screening operations are conducted exclusively by direct JCM employees rather than subcontractors.
The primary function of the CRDC is to intercept vendor deliveries before they reach the airport. Goods are received, inspected, and consolidated onto dedicated, secure transport vehicles for the final three-mile journey to the terminal. This process eliminates the need for multiple independent delivery trucks to navigate the congested roadways and secure airside areas of JFK.
JCM Business Solutions Chief Operating Officer Michael Conlon noted that The New Terminal One was the primary catalyst for the CRDC, bringing the concept directly to the Port Authority. He stated that the terminal operators championed the first-of-its-kind project at JFK by investing the necessary capital and resources to bring it to fruition.
Integration with JFK redevelopment
The logistics hub supports the broader $19 billion transformation of JFK spearheaded by the PANYNJ. The New Terminal One is scheduled to open its first phase, comprising 14 gates, in 2026. Full completion of the 2.6-million-square-foot, 23-gate terminal is projected for 2030.
Initially announced on June 23, 2025, the off-site logistics model is expected to create 60 local jobs in Queens. The New Terminal One Vice President of Operations Marisa Von Wieding stated that the partnership delivers innovative logistics solutions that enhance operational excellence while reinforcing a commitment to local job creation and sustainability.
JCM Business Solutions CEO Judith E. Conlon added that the company is prepared to provide supply chain services with the operational integrity required to drive value for airport clients.
AirPro News analysis
We view the implementation of a Consolidated Receiving and Distribution Center as a necessary evolution for constrained mega-hub airports. By shifting the screening and consolidation of retail and food service goods to an off-site location, operators significantly reduce the volume of unescorted or third-party commercial vehicles navigating the Air Operations Area (AOA). This reduction directly lowers the risk of ground collisions, security breaches, and the introduction of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) near aircraft. As terminal footprints expand and passenger volumes grow, off-site logistics hubs will likely become a standard requirement for major airport redevelopment projects.
Sources: Metropolitan Airport News
Photo Credit: Metropolitan Airport News
Route Development
Air France Moving to JFK New Terminal One in Early 2027
Air France relocates to JFK’s New Terminal One in early 2027, opening a 29,000 sq ft lounge for premium passengers.

Airlines Air France will relocate its New York operations to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) New Terminal One in early 2027, anchoring the move with a 2,700-square-meter premium lounge.
The transition, announced in a company press release on September 15, 2026, aligns with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion redevelopment of the airport. The new facility will become the largest lounge in the French flag carrier’s international network, designed to support its high-frequency transatlantic schedule.
Premium passenger experience and lounge specifications
The planned lounge will span approximately 29,000 square feet and accommodate up to 400 guests. The space is designed to serve passengers traveling in the airline’s La Première and Business class cabins, along with Flying Blue Elite Plus and Flying Blue Ultimate loyalty members.
Nicolas Henin, Senior Vice President for North America at Air France, highlighted the carrier’s history in the region and the strategic focus on high-yield traffic:
New York is one of Air France’s most important and iconic markets, and this year we are especially proud to celebrate 80 years of serving New York. With our move to New Terminal One and the opening of this new lounge, we are taking our premium travel experience to a new level, continuing to invest not only in the flight itself, but providing elegance in every moment of the journey.
Flight operations and terminal integration
Air France currently operates six daily flights to New York-JFK. Four of these services utilize Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with the airline’s La Première cabin. Across the broader New York market, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), the carrier operates 11 daily flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) during the summer season.
The New Terminal One is managed by a consortium led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. Jennifer Aument, CEO of The New Terminal One, described the Air France-KLM Group as a key anchor carrier and valued long-term partner. She noted the new lounge will enhance the departure experience for Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and SkyTeam alliance customers.
The opening of the terminal is scheduled for early 2027. According to reporting by The Points Guy, this timeline represents a shift from an original 2026 target. Terminal officials indicated the adjusted schedule allows operators to thoroughly test systems and processes prior to commencing passenger operations.
AirPro News analysis
We view Air France’s commitment to The New Terminal One as a strategic consolidation of SkyTeam’s premium footprint at JFK. By dedicating 2,700 square meters to a single lounge, the carrier is aggressively defending its market share on the highly competitive New York-Paris route. The delayed opening to early 2027 is a prudent measure for a $19 billion infrastructure project, as early operational disruptions at new Airports can severely damage an airline’s brand reputation among premium passengers.
Sources: Air France Corporate
Photo Credit: Air France Corporate
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