The Governor of New York – Gov. Andrew Cuomo has reportedly announced that the $13 billion JFK airport renovation plan also includes the construction of two large international terminals.
Reports cite, the addition of the two international terminals would be pushing JFK airport’s passenger capacity to 80 million individuals by 2035 – a significant jump from its 60 million passenger capacity in 2017. The entire project is reportedly scheduled to reach completion be 2025.
According to a report by architecture magazine – Dezeen, the plan contemplates the construction of the two new complexes on the airport’s north and south side. Moreover, the plan also involves the demolition of current terminal buildings, updating existing infrastructure and making optimal use of empty spaces. Other development costs are included inside the project’s cost, which was raised from the initial $10 billion to the current $13 billion.
New York Governor, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reportedly stated that upon completion the project would be converting JFK International Airport into one of the world’s finest airports. For the record, the JFK airport currently is ranked among USA’s lower-rated airports.
The new international terminals reportedly – along with JetBlue airlines’ proposal to demolish the Terminal 7 and another in cooperation by Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Airlines and Japan Airlines – would be replacing the existing configuration of six standalone – smaller terminals accessed through a spaghetti of roadways.
The four airlines would reportedly be spending $7 billion on the new terminal with over 230,000 sq. feet of restaurants and shops and 23 gates. Meanwhile, the Terminal 7 to the north side would be demolished and JetBlue would be developing a 1.2 million sq. foot $3 billion terminal to replace it.
However, critics reportedly pointed out that the airport overhaul would not be alleviating JFK’s persistent delays as there are no provisions for constructing new runways.
The executive director of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Rick Cotton reportedly stated that the additional capacity would be addressed by improving air-traffic control and by flying bigger planes.