The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has celebrated the opening of a brand-new cargo handling centre at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The new centre, which cost 270 million USD, was developed in partnership with both Realterm and Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), and marks the first new cargo facility at the airport in 25 years.
The new centre aims to aid in the consolidation of operations currently being handled by a set of four separate cargo zones into one location in a move that PANYNJ expects will reduce congestion, streamline operations and provide space for future development projects.
David Rose, managing director of Realterm, said:We are thrilled to see this project come to life as a showpiece for cargo operations not just at JFK, but for airports worldwide.
This modern and one-of-a-kind facility exemplifies what can be achieved through strong public-private partnerships and demonstrates Realterm’s commitment to creating infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of the air cargo industry while supporting local economic development.
Supporting over 93,000 direct and indirect jobs and generating more than 11.4 billion USD annually; the airport’s cargo sector further cements JFK as a premier hub for global trade, with the new and improved hub expected to provide more jobs and development opportunities.
The new facility, which is operated by WFS, spans 26 acres at 350,000-square feet, and represents the airport’s first step in a set of broader redevelopment plans for JFK’s northern cargo area in order to better accommodate recent and future long-term cargo growth.
It features an advanced truck dock management system designed to specifically optimise the flow of goods, leverage real-time scheduling, automated check-ins and digital communications between drivers and dock operators.
The system will automatically allocate the most efficient doors based on the size, type and contents of each delivery in order to minimise delays and maximise total throughput.
Mike Simpson, Gateway Services chief executive officer, Americas, at WFS, said:WFS is proud of its 41 years of service to our customers at JFK.
This new facility marks a new era for WFS and air cargo at one of the main gateways to the United States. This cutting-edge facility reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in our drive to serve customers better. This new development sets new standards for efficiency and safety and is a showpiece not just for JFK’s aviation ecosystem, but to the air cargo industry worldwide.
The facility embodies our dedication to connecting the world through logistics and embraces new levels of digitalization and sustainability that will act as a model for other new cargo operations around the world.
The new centre also includes 3,000 square feet of cooler space for goods requiring chilled storage.
The airport handled roughly 1.67 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, a 5% increase on 2023’s number and 25% more than it handled in 2019.
