New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday unveiled a $10 billion plan to transform John F. Kennedy International (JFK). Based on the recommendations of the Governor’s Airport Advisory Panel, the vision plan lays out a comprehensive, airport-wide framework to create a unified, world-class airport.
“Our vision plan calls for the creation of a unified, interconnected airport that changes the passenger experience and makes the airport much easier to access and navigate,” Cuomo said.
The plan also calls for improved road access to the airport and expanded rail mass transit to meet projected passenger growth.
Cuomo said the revamp “has the potential to drive up to $7 billion in private investment,” referencing airlines and terminal developers/operators who will be expected to invest in infrastructure. The project also includes $1.5-$2 billion in roadway work, plus additional costs for expanded mass transportation.
The on-airport transformation focuses on six core areas:
- Interconnect terminals by expanding newer terminals and redeveloping/relocating older terminals.
- Redesign the on-airport roadways to evolve into a “ring road” configuration to allow for easier and quicker access to all of JFK’s terminals, including for taxis and ride-sharing and for-hire vehicles.
- Centralize and expand parking lots within the “ring road” layout with clear short-term and long-term parking options.
- Ensure world-class amenities, including fine dining, duty free shopping, best-in-class retail, and conference and meeting room facilities – a process that began last month with the groundbreaking of the new TWA Flight Center Hotel.
- Expand taxiways to reduce ground delays and add new flight slots to accommodate the airports relentlessly growing passenger demand.
- Implement state-of-the-art security technology, including regular reviews with third-party experts to update security to the future global best practices, such as facial recognition and video tracking software that are currently being incorporated across New York’s infrastructure developments.
A statement from the governor’s office said JFK currently “falls far short of today’s global standards.”
And Pat Foye, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said, “John F. Kennedy Airport was once a world-class transportation hub, envied by the entire nation. Today it is choked with traffic and burdened with outdated systems and decaying infrastructure. Governor Cuomo’s landmark plan to revitalize JFK will put New York back on the map as a premiere destination by building a new golden gate to this state.”
“Through strategic investments and collaborative efforts of our public and private sectors, the completion of this state-of-the-art transit center will meet the needs of 21st century travelers for many decades to come,” Foye added.
JFK served a record 60 million passengers in 2016. The number of passengers at JFK is expected to grow dramatically over the next several decades to 75 million by 2030 and 100 million passengers by 2050, the governor’s office said. The current JFK is expected to reach capacity by the mid-2020s.
