AirTrain. Photo: George Wirt / Shutterstock.com Travelers heading to the New York metropolitan area this weekend are being urged to plan ahead after both John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport announced significant transportation disruptions.
At Newark, AirTrain service between P4 and the Rail Link Station will be suspended from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays as construction continues on the airport's new AirTrain system. Complimentary shuttle buses will operate throughout the disruption.
Meanwhile, passengers traveling to JFK will face a separate issue. There will be no MTA train service at Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport from 11:45 p.m. on Friday, July 31, through 5 a.m. on Monday, August 3, due to signal modernization work on the Queens Boulevard Line.
To minimize inconvenience, free shuttle buses will be available at affected stations, while the Long Island Rail Road will honor MTA fares during the disruption. Airport officials are also recommending that travelers use the subway to Howard Beach–JFK Airport and connect to AirTrain JFK as an alternative route.
The dual disruptions come during one of the busiest periods of the summer travel season and are expected to affect thousands of passengers heading to and from two of the region's busiest airports. Officials are advising travelers to allow extra time, monitor service updates, and familiarize themselves with alternative transportation options before departing for the airport.