At one of the nation's busiest airports, authorities are telling travelers to prepare for transit at the hub as major construction work threatens to ruin summer travel for millions of passengers. There is.
Alert from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for construction of new passenger facilities, including two new international terminals and two renovated terminals, construction of a new ground transportation center, and construction of new roads. The announcement comes amid a $19 billion construction project. , shared with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey travel + leisure. Also, more than 18 million travelers are expected to pass through JFK this summer, a record number and 700,000 more than last year.
To reduce disruption, the Port Authority has staffed the Airport Operations Center 24/7 to “support airport-wide coordination and proactive traffic management, anticipate peak activity, and reduce waits and queues.” We will implement traffic mitigation measures in response to the increase.” The agency will also coordinate road construction activities and coordinate aviation activities, traffic delays, and public messaging as needed.
Additionally, officials are increasing the number of front-line staff, including Port Authority police officers, traffic managers and customer service representatives at terminals.
“The problem isn't a problem on its face. Building a new airport while maintaining full operations cannot be done without impacting passengers traveling to and from JFK,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole said in a statement shared with T+L. “But we believe that as we build one of the world's truly great airports, these temporary traffic disruptions will be worth the trouble for decades to come.”
The Port Authority also recommends that travelers heading to JFK Airport take public transportation (both the subway and the Long Island Rail Road have direct access to the airport's AirTrain) or drop off the AirTrain at Lefferts Boulevard Station. is encouraged. The device is free. In June, the Port Authority will open a new “Easy Lot” at the AirTrain station.
Similarly, airlines such as JetBlue are warning travelers about the construction at check-in and encouraging them to use the AirTrain, according to an email to customers seen by T+L.
Once the project is complete, JFK will have a brand new Terminal 1, a new Terminal 6 (connected to Terminal 5), an expanded Terminal 4, and an improved Terminal 8.
