Construction has started on John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) 9.5 billion USD New Terminal One.
The groundbreaking follows a revised plan established in December 2021 between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New Terminal One – a consortium of financial sponsors – to build the 2.4 million square foot new international terminal.
The New Terminal One will be twice the size of JFK’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to accommodate the growing demand for international air travel. In addition, as 22 of the 23 new gates will accomodate wide-body aircraft, the new terminal will double the current number of gates compatible with larger aircraft that are key to international travel.
Governor Hochul said:Our state-of-the-art renovations of New York State's airports are critical and long overdue - especially at JFK, the nation's front door to the world. The investments we are making today will ensure all New Yorkers, and the tens of millions of people who come here every year, have a first-class travel experience tomorrow - all while creating more than 10,000 jobs. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who has put in the years of hard work to make this transformative project possible.
The New Terminal One has been designed with bright check-in halls and arrival spaces, as well as advanced security technology and an upgraded baggage handling system to enhance the passenger experience.
In line with the Port Authority’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the project will include on-site renewable energy generation, electric ground support equipment and optimised lighting and building controls.
The entire cost of the new terminal will be privately financed by the NTO consortium. Meanwhile, the Port Authority will complete infrastructure upgrades and improvements including roads, parking and utilities as part of the project.
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said:The new Terminal One project represents the biggest and boldest public-private partnership in the history of Port Authority airports, involving the commitment of $9.5 billion of private investment, all brought to the table by private investors with faith in New York, faith in the region and faith in the future of JFK International Airport. Our explicit goal is to build one of the top 10 airline terminals in the world, and with today's groundbreaking for a world-class New Terminal One, JFK is on course to become a global gateway that the region deserves.
The project will be built in phases, with the arrivals and departures hall and 14 new gates opening in 2026. The terminal’s final nine gates are then expected to be completed in 2030.
The New Terminal One will be built on the sites of the current undersized and outdated Terminal 1 and the ageing 60-year-old Terminal 2 at JFK, as well as the site of the former Terminal 3, which was demolished in 2014.
The New Terminal One builds on the momentum of JFK’s ongoing transformation, including the 3.9 billion USD development of the new Terminal 6, the 1.5 billion USD expansion of Terminal 4, and the 425 million USD expansion of JFK’s Terminal 8.
