Officials at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), one of the busiest hubs in the country, are gearing up travelers for a summer of potential travel disruptions due to major construction projects. This $19 billion endeavor aims to overhaul passenger facilities, including the creation of new international terminals, the revamp of existing ones, a new ground transportation center, and the development of new roadways. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shared these plans with Travel + Leisure.
Amidst this ambitious construction project, JFK is preparing for a record-breaking summer, with more than 18 million travelers expected to pass through, which is 700,000 more than last year.
To mitigate the expected disruptions, the Port Authority will have its Airport Operations Center staffed 24/7 to manage airport-wide coordination and active traffic management. They will anticipate peak activity and implement traffic mitigations in response to increased wait times or queues. The agency also plans to adjust roadway construction activities as needed and coordinate flight activity, traffic delays, and public messaging.
Additionally, the Port Authority is boosting its frontline staff, including Port Authority police officers, traffic managers, and terminal customer service representatives.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole candidly acknowledged the challenges, stating, “There’s no sugar coating the issue. Building a new airport while maintaining full flight operations won’t come without impacts to passengers driving to and from JFK Airport. But we believe that building what will be one of the truly great airports in the world will make these temporary traffic disruptions well worth the trouble for decades to come.”
To ease the burden on travelers, the Port Authority is encouraging the use of public transportation, noting that both the subway and the Long Island Rail Road offer direct access to the airport’s AirTrain. They also suggest getting dropped off at the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station, which provides free transportation to the terminals. A new “Easy Lot” at the AirTrain station is set to open in June, providing more options for travelers.
Airlines like JetBlue are also playing their part by warning travelers about the construction during check-in and promoting the use of the AirTrain, according to a customer email viewed by Travel + Leisure.
Once the dust settles and the project is complete, JFK will boast a brand-new Terminal 1, a new Terminal 6 connected to Terminal 5, an expanded Terminal 4, and a revamped Terminal 8. So, while the summer travel season might come with a few more headaches than usual, the long-term payoff promises to be a significantly enhanced travel experience.