… American Airlines, British Airways announce plans to invest US$344M to upgrade Terminal 8
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that two major carriers; American Airlines and British Airways, will invest US$344M in the John F. Kennedy International Airport to expand and improve the customer experience at Terminal 8 as part of the Governor’s comprehensive plan to make the airport a modern, 21st century gateway to the nation.
“Only four months ago, we announced plans to transform JFK Airport into a state-of-the-art global hub, with new and unified terminals adding 4 million square feet and increasing the airport’s capacity by at least 15 million passengers annually.
“Today that transformation is well underway, with an extraordinary private investment that will turn JFK into a truly modern airport. This new investment is part and parcel with the State’s broader efforts to modernize airports all across New York. From JFK and LaGuardia to Ithaca and Rochester, we are making historic progress rebuilding our airport infrastructure for the future and ensuring New York State remains the nation’s front door,” Governor Cuomo was quoted by his office in a press release as saying.
“This significant investment continues our efforts to expand and modernize services at JFK Airport,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The project will create new jobs and new opportunities for thousands of New Yorkers, and continue to grow our state’s economy and attract more visitors. This transformation of JFK and other airports across the state will ensure easier and safer travel and enhance the overall experience.”
The Terminal 8 enhancements will be made pursuant to an agreement between the Port Authority and American Airlines over the next three years in preparation for British Airways moving from their current location in Terminal 7, which will be replaced as part of JetBlue Airways’ plan to build a new terminal on the airport’s north side. No Port Authority funding is being committed to the Terminal 8 upgrade.
According to the Governor’s office, the announcement is the latest step in Governor Cuomo’s sweeping $13 billion vision plan for the future of JFK unveiled in October 2018. This record investment, 90 percent of which is private funding, calls for a unified and interconnected airport featuring two new international terminals with state-of-the-art passenger amenities, convenient ground transportation options, and vastly simplified roadways that will increase the airport’s capacity by at least 15 million passengers per year.
The American Airlines and British Airways investment in Terminal 8 will improve the overall customer experience, with a total of 70,400 square feet of added space including 33,000 square feet of public space. Another 57,500 square feet of existing space will be refurbished. New amenities include premium lounges for both airlines, enhanced baggage systems, premium check-in space and upgraded concessions, the Governor’s office said.
There will be five additional wide-body gates to allow for more transatlantic flights and four nearby on-airfield plane parking/unloading areas to accommodate the added flights. As a result, passengers will have the increased flexibility of 14 daily flights to London from the same terminal.
The continuing investments come as JFK has been setting record passenger volumes in recent years, hitting an all-time high of more than 61 million passengers in 2018, up 2.5 percent from the prior year’s record.
According to the Governor’s office, the Terminal 8 upgrade is expected to create 500 direct jobs and 750 total jobs over the project’s life, adding to the 9,600 new jobs in the Governor’s original $13 billion JFK vision plan.
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said, “American Airlines and British Airways have joined the extraordinary efforts underway to make John F. Kennedy International the world-class airport our customers expect and deserve. This is a turning point in JFK’s history. We are responding to record numbers of passengers with record levels of infrastructure investment. We also will ensure best-in-class customer service is part of these initiatives, as work begins on transforming JFK into a worthy gateway to the United States.”
American Airlines President Robert Isom said, “Investing in our terminal and welcoming our partners is a win-win for both customers and team members at American and British Airways. Co-locating with British Airways will allow our customers unprecedented convenience and flexibility between these two world-class cities.”
British Airways Chairman and CEO Alex Cruz said, “We’re excited to announce our move to Terminal 8, alongside American Airlines, our Atlantic joint-business partner. Offering the best customer experience at JFK now and in the future is a top priority. We look forward to working with the Port Authority and American Airlines to continue building a world-class transatlantic travel experience in our new home from 2022.”
