NEW YORK (AP) The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved a deal Thursday changing the name of Newark International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport, and extending the airport's lease until 2065. The name change was a compromise. New York Gov. George Pataki and New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey had proposed calling the airport Liberty International Airport at Newark to commemorate the Sept. 11 attacks, but Newark, N.J., Mayor Sharpe James opposed the change. The executive director of the bi-state agency, Joseph Seymour said, ''The new name honors the heroes who have fought to protect our freedom and the heroes of Sept. 11, while preserving Newark's strong identity with its world-class airport.'' The Port Authority is charged with running the metropolitan area's transportation centers. Under the deal, the city of Newark will receive a combined payment for the airport and the seaport of $115 million in the first year and annual payments of about $80 million in the four years following. The Port Authority's current lease with Newark expires in 2031. By Associated Press, 8/29/2002 14:13NEW YORK (AP) The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved a deal Thursday changing the name of Newark International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport, and extending the airport's lease until 2065. The name change was a compromise. New York Gov. George Pataki and New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey had proposed calling the airport Liberty International Airport at Newark to commemorate the Sept. 11 attacks, but Newark, N.J., Mayor Sharpe James opposed the change. The executive director of the bi-state agency, Joseph Seymour said, ''The new name honors the heroes who have fought to protect our freedom and the heroes of Sept. 11, while preserving Newark's strong identity with its world-class airport.'' The Port Authority is charged with running the metropolitan area's transportation centers. Under the deal, the city of Newark will receive a combined payment for the airport and the seaport of $115 million in the first year and annual payments of about $80 million in the four years following. The Port Authority's current lease with Newark expires in 2031. Leo/ORD Email me @ KLM_India@yahoo.com or LFutia@aol.com I check both!