The Port of New York and New Jersey handled 4.43 million TEUs during the first half of 2026, remaining virtually level with the same period last year.
June brought stronger growth as the port moved 769,422 TEUs. This represented an 11.9% increase from June 2025.
The port also handled 503,016 loaded TEUs during the month, up 7.6% year on year. This performance made New York and New Jersey the second-busiest US cargo gateway for loaded containers in June.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey linked the rise in June volumes to an earlier and front-loaded peak shipping season. It said changes in US trade policy influenced the timing of cargo movements.
Airports serve 67 million passengers
The Port Authority’s commercial airports welcomed 67 million passengers during the first six months of 2026. This marked a 2% decline from the same period of 2025.
The agency attributed the reduction mainly to macroeconomic uncertainty and volatile oil prices, which affected airfares. Spirit Airlines’ decision to end operations in May also affected domestic passenger numbers at LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
International passenger traffic declined by 4% year on year during the first half. However, domestic travel showed greater resilience. Domestic passenger numbers increased by 1% in June and by 0.4% during the second quarter.
Newark Liberty handled 22.8 million passengers during the first half, up 3% from the same period last year. Its June traffic increased by 5% year on year.
John F. Kennedy International Airport recorded a 5% decline in passenger traffic during the first six months. Meanwhile, LaGuardia Airport served 15.3 million passengers, down 3% year on year.
PATH records strongest first half since pandemic
The PATH commuter railway carried 31.4 million passengers during the first half of 2026. This represented a 7.5% increase from the previous year and its highest January-to-June total since 2020.
Monthly ridership reached 5.9 million passengers in June, making it PATH’s busiest month since March 2020.
Average Saturday ridership reached a record 144,391 passengers, while average Sunday traffic climbed to 114,146. Both figures were more than 25% above their June 2019 and June 2025 levels.
Average weekday ridership reached 222,812 passengers. The month’s busiest day was 18 June, when 252,272 people used the system during the New York Knicks championship parade.
Truck traffic reaches monthly record
The Port Authority’s six vehicular crossings handled 58 million eastbound journeys during the first half of 2026. This marked a 1.5% decline from the same period last year.
However, June became the busiest month for truck traffic in the agency’s history.
Approximately 795,000 eastbound trucks used the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels during the month. This represented an 8.5% increase from June 2025.
