JFKIAT celebrates 25 years of operating JFK’s Terminal 4

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and JFKIAT, the operator of New York JFK’s Terminal 4, are this month celebrating the 25th anniversary of the US’s first airport terminal to be operated by a non-airline, public-private partnership.

Since assuming operation of JFK T4, JFKIAT has continued to upgrade and expand the terminal, raising its capacity from four million passengers per annum to 27 million.

Indeed, JFKIAT has increased the terminal’s physical footprint to cover more than two million square feet, transformed its route network by encouraging a host of new airlines to serve the facility, and has arguably been one of the most innovative operators in the US in terms of  introducing new technology.

JFKIAT notes that “T4’s exceptional sustainability standards” earned first LEED Gold and then LEED Platinum status from the US Green Building Council, making it the only preexisting air terminal in the United States to receive LEED Platinum recognition.

T4’s safety and security operation – which established a state-of-the-art Security Operations Center in 2018 – has also been hailed as the gold standard for security at JFK Airport and in the aviation industry.

T4’s recent $1.5 billion expansion and modernisation, in partnership with Delta Air Lines, is a component of the Port Authority’s $19 billion JFK transformation, which includes two expanded and modernised terminals, two new terminals and an entirely new and simplified airport roadway network.

The Port Authority’s $3.9 billion public investment in roadways and airport infrastructure at JFK has leveraged $15 billion in private investment in new or modernised terminals.

“Public-private partnerships not only bring critical financial resources to our airport redevelopment projects, but our private partners also provide a wealth of expertise in the design, construction and operation of airport terminals,” said PANYNJ’s executive director, Kathryn Garcia.

“Thanks to the partnership between the Port Authority and JFKIAT, we’ve been able to make the investments needed at T4 to create the passenger experience that travellers to New York expect and deserve.”

Image courtesy of Bjorg Magnea.

Roel Huinink, CEO of JFKIAT, stated: “After completion of the new building in 2001, Terminal 4 officially opened under JFKIAT’s operation, 25 years later, we have become a recognised leader in the aviation industry that welcomes millions of passengers every year.

“Throughout our journey, our mission to deliver incredible journeys, uphold the highest standards of safety, and drive innovation in every aspect of our operation has remained constant.

“As we look ahead, we are more committed than ever to elevating the T4 experience as we invest in our people and partners, and set even higher benchmarks for New York City’s premier international gateway.”