Teterboro Airport (TEB): Complete Guide to NJ's Private Aviation Hub

Fewer than 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Teterboro Airport handles thousands of private and corporate aircraft movements each year — without a single commercial airline. TEB, as it's known by its FAA identifier, is New Jersey's premier general aviation hub and one of the busiest reliever airports in the United States. Whether you're a pilot planning an arrival, a passenger booking a private charter, or an aviation enthusiast researching the field, this guide covers everything you need to know. Below, you'll find accurate, operationally grounded details on runway specifications, FBO services, instrument approach procedures, the Prior Permission Required program, customs access, and weight restrictions — all drawn from FAA data and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey public records.

What Is Teterboro Airport?

Teterboro Airport (KTEB) is a general aviation relief airport owned and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, located across the municipalities of Teterboro and Moonachie in Bergen County, NJ. Sitting approximately 12 miles west of Midtown Manhattan, TEB exists specifically to absorb private and corporate aircraft traffic that would otherwise compete for slots at Newark Liberty, JFK, and LaGuardia.

Four facts define TEB at a glance:

• Owner: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
• Operator: AFCO AvPORTS Management
• Elevation: 9 feet MSL
• ICAO/FAA Identifier: KTEB

The airport enforces a 100,000-pound Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) limit, which effectively restricts TEB to business jets, turboprops, and piston aircraft — no heavy widebody airliners. Any operator planning to land at TEB must comply with the Prior Permission Required (PPR) program, a formal pre-approval process administered through the airport operations office. Arriving without PPR authorization risks denial of landing rights and potential FAA enforcement action.

The Federal Aviation Administration classifies TEB as a Reliever airport within the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). AFCO AvPORTS Management handles day-to-day operations under Port Authority oversight, maintaining the infrastructure that makes TEB the busiest general aviation airport in the United States by operations count. According to Teterboro Airport manager Sherri Smith, the airport handled approximately 171,000 aircraft operations in 2023 alone — with roughly 85% of those being private jets. An in-depth look at Teterboro's transformation

Location and Getting There

Teterboro Airport sits at 100 Fred Wehran Drive, Teterboro, NJ 07608, in the heart of the New Jersey Meadowlands. The airport borders the municipalities of Hasbrouck Heights and Moonachie, placing it within one of the most strategically positioned general aviation corridors in the northeast. Manhattan's midtown core is approximately 12 miles east — a distance that makes TEB the preferred arrival point for private and corporate travelers who need fast access to New York City without the congestion of the major commercial hubs.

Ground Transportation Options

Road access to Teterboro Airport is straightforward from two primary routes. Interstate 95 connects directly via the Teterboro exit, while Route 46 provides an alternative approach from the west. Both routes feed into the airport's general aviation facilities without toll complications specific to the airport itself.

Ground transportation options at TEB include:

• Taxis and rideshares (Uber and Lyft) operate at the fixed base operator terminals
• Car services and black car fleets serve the corporate aviation clientele consistently
• Blade offers helicopter transfers between TEB and Manhattan, eliminating road traffic entirely
• Rental car arrangements are coordinated through the FBO concierge services on-site

Runways, Airspace, and Flight Procedures

Teterboro Airport operates two asphalt runways configured for general aviation and corporate jet operations.

Both runways feature high-intensity runway lights (HIRL) and runway end identifier lights (REIL). Runway 6/24 serves as the primary strip for heavier jet traffic given its greater length. Noise abatement procedures at TEB require left-turn departures off Runway 24 to avoid overflying Hasbrouck Heights and surrounding residential communities.

Instrument Approaches and RNAV Procedures

Teterboro Airport sits within Class D airspace, requiring two-way radio communication with TEB Tower before entry. During periods of high traffic, controllers coordinate directly with New York Center (New York TRACON) to sequence arrivals efficiently.

Instrument approaches at TEB include RNAV (GPS) procedures for all four runway ends, with vertical guidance available on select approaches via LNAV/VNAV minima — functioning as an electronic glide slope substitute. A VOR/DME approach also remains published as a backup. Pilots should contact Millville Flight Service Station for preflight weather and NOTAMs prior to departure.

FBOs and Ground Services at TEB

Three fixed base operators serve Teterboro Airport, each providing the full range of ground services that private and corporate aircraft operators expect at a major metropolitan hub.

Signature Aviation operates two terminals at TEB — the main facility and Signature TEB West — offering fuel, hangars, de-icing, ground handling, and premium passenger lounges. Atlantic Aviation provides comparable services, including hangar storage, line service, and crew amenities. Jet Aviation rounds out the FBO lineup with MRO capabilities alongside the standard fuel and ramp services.

Passengers seeking on-demand charter or helicopter connections can arrange transport through Blade, which offers scheduled and on-demand air mobility services originating from TEB into New York City and beyond.

TEB holds customs landing rights, which allows international arrivals to clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the field. Pilots must coordinate international arrivals well in advance — this means filing the required eAPIS manifest, pre-arranging CBP inspection through the FBO, and confirming that CBP officers will be on-site at the scheduled arrival time. Failure to pre-coordinate can result in significant delays or diversion to an alternate port of entry. Contact the handling FBO directly to initiate this process before departure.

Airport Operations, Authority, and Regulations

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owns and operates Teterboro Airport, with AFCO AvPORTS Management handling day-to-day operations under a management contract. The Federal Aviation Administration governs all flight procedures, airspace classifications, and safety standards at TEB. Since assuming control of the airport in 1949, the Port Authority has invested over $450 million in modernization efforts at TEB, including upgraded lighting systems, expanded hangars, and sustainability initiatives. An in-depth look at Teterboro's transformation

Class D airspace is active at Teterboro when the control tower is staffed — tower hours run 0600 to 2200 local time. Outside those hours, the airspace reverts to Class G, and pilots must use advisory frequency 123.075 MHz.

The Prior Permission Required program is mandatory for all aircraft operations at TEB. Operators must submit a PPR request at least 24 hours before arrival through the Port Authority's online portal or by contacting airport operations directly. The request must include aircraft type, tail number, operator name, and estimated arrival time. Aircraft exceeding the 100,000-pound maximum gross weight limit require additional review before approval is granted.

Non-compliance carries real consequences — aircraft that land without an active PPR authorization face fines and potential suspension of future landing privileges. The PPR program exists specifically to manage traffic volume and protect the surrounding communities in Hasbrouck Heights and the wider Bergen County area from noise and congestion.

Notable History and Fast Facts About TEB

Teterboro Airport opened in 1919, making it one of the oldest operating airports in the New York metropolitan area. Through the mid-20th century, it transitioned from general commercial use to its current role as the primary general aviation relief airport for the NYC metro region, absorbing private and corporate traffic that would otherwise burden Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia.

A notable safety event — the January 2005 overrun of a Challenger 600 on Runway 6, which crossed Route 46 and struck a vehicle — prompted FAA regulatory review and reinforced TEB's strict weight and operational controls that remain in effect today.

Fast facts for Teterboro Airport (KTEB):

• ICAO/FAA identifier: KTEB
• Elevation: 9 ft MSL
• County: Bergen County, New Jersey
• State: New Jersey
• Operator: AFCO AvPORTS Management
• Governing authority: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
• Airport classification: General aviation relief airport
• Control tower: FAA-operated, 24 hours

These figures come directly from FAA airport data and Port Authority public records, reflecting current operational status.

Bottom Line: Teterboro Airport Is New Jersey's Premier Private Aviation Gateway

Teterboro Airport (TEB) stands as the New York metro area's busiest general aviation facility, serving thousands of private and corporate aircraft operations each year. Located in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, TEB delivers unmatched proximity to Manhattan — roughly 12 miles from Midtown — without the complexity of a commercial airline hub.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates TEB under strict FAA guidelines, including the Prior Permission Required program, aircraft weight limits, and customs landing rights protocols that protect both safety and efficiency. Signature Flight Support anchors ground services as the primary fixed base operator, giving crews and passengers a professional, well-equipped arrival and departure experience.

Whether planning a first charter flight or managing a regular corporate travel schedule, understanding TEB's procedures, runway layout, and instrument approaches puts every operation ahead of delays and complications. Review the full guide above to plan your next TEB arrival or departure with confidence.