Facts & Info - About the Airport - John F. Kennedy International Airport

JFK BAY RUNWAY PROJECT FACTS & INFO

The Port Authority of NY & NJ is tackling delays with the reconstruction of our Bay Runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Once completed, this project will reduce delays overall by an estimated 10,500 hours per year.

What is the Bay Runway Project?
Beginning March 1, 2010 one of the four runways at JFK will be closed for construction for 120 days; however this project should not impact travel significantly. The Port Authority in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the airlines began in 2006 we have worked closely minimize the impact on airport operations when the runway is closed.

Why is the Bay Runway Project necessary?
The Bay Runway project is an investment in the future, the new concrete runway has an anticipated life of more than 40 years, compared to an 8-year service life for asphalt.

The project will upgrade JFK’s airside infrastructure, widen and replaces nearly three miles of runway. A central component of the Bay Runway reconstruction is the widening of the runway from 150 to 200 feet to make way for new delay-reduction taxiways. The new taxiways will improve aircraft queuing and enable swifter departures; and easier access from taxiways to terminal gates, saving time on the ground for every passenger at JFK.

How many runways are at JFK?
There are four runways at JFK. During normal operations, two or three of the four runways are in use due to airspace limitations. During the 120-day closure of the Bay Runway, all three remaining runways will be utilized when possible.

How will flights be affected when the Bay Runway is closed?
The Port Authority in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the airlines, expect to minimize the impact on airport operations when the runway is closed. Airlines are operating on a normal winter schedule to mitigate delays.

Click here for airline contact information.

Delays may occur from time to time, but this is a short-term inconvenience to provide a long-term fix.

What are some of the benefits of the Bay Runway Project?
SAVING TIME: The new taxiways will enable swifter departures and easier access from taxiways to terminal gates. This will save time on the ground for every passenger at JFK.

REDUCING DELAYS: Once the project is complete the new Bay Runway will reduce future delays by an estimated 10,500 hours.

CREATING JOBS: The project is expected to support 1,000 direct and as many as 2,500 ancillary jobs, including direct construction work, asphalt and concrete production, procurement and installation of aeronautical lighting, and food services creating $800 million in wages and economic activity.

Will the cost of my airline ticket increase?
The Port Authority has no control over airline ticketing pricing practices, but we have received no indication from airlines operating at JFK that ticket costs will increase as a result of this work.

How do I know if project will impact my trip?
As always we recommend that you contact your airline provider for flight information.

To learn more about the Bay Runway Project click here.

OPERATED BY: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, under a lease with the city of New York since June 1, 1947. In 2004, the Port Authority and the city of New York concluded an agreement that ensures the Agency's continued operation of JFK and LaGuardia airports through 2050.

LOCATION: On Jamaica Bay in the southeastern section of Queens County, New York City. The airport is located 15 miles by highway from midtown Manhattan.

SIZE: JFK covers 4,930 acres, including 880 acres in the Central Terminal Area. The airport has more than 30 miles of roadway.

INVESTMENT: About $150 million was expended on original construction. The Port Authority has invested about $5.5 billion in the airport.

EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC IMPACT: JFK contributes almost $30.1 billion in economic activity to the New York/New Jersey region, generating some 229,000 jobs and about $9.8 billion in wages and salaries. Roughly 35,000 people are employed at the airport.

TERMINALS: JFK has seven operating airline terminals, surrounded by a dual ring of peripheral taxiways. More than 125 aircraft gates serve the terminals. The Central Terminal Area also includes a central heating and air-conditioning plant.

AIRTRAIN JFK: This high-speed, light-rail service links the airport to New York City and beyond. Opened in December 2003, AirTrain connects to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the New York City subway and bus lines.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER: The 321-foot tower, which opened in 1994, includes state-of-the-art communications, radar and wind-shear alert systems.

PARKING: The airport offers customers over 17,000 parking spaces in a variety of places, including: multi-level parking garages, surface spaces in the Central Terminal Area, a long-term parking and cell phone lot.

CARGO: JFK is one of the world's leading international air cargo centers. Two cargo facilities totaling 430,000 square feet of warehouse and office space opened in 2003 and offer the latest in cargo-facility design.

RUNWAYS/TAXIWAYS: Total runway length is nine miles. Taxiways total 25 miles in length. All runways have high-intensity runway edge lighting, centerline and taxiway exit lighting and are grooved to improve skid resistance and minimize hydroplaning. A 500-foot by 150-foot aircraft arrestor bed has been installed at the end of Runway 4R, the first such arrestor bed in the world.

JFK Airport Statistics Over the Years

Year	Plane Movements	Passengers	Air Cargo (tons)	Air Mail (tons)
1949	81,115	222,620	4,580	1,150
1960	248,686	8,803,665	138,055	44,118
1970	365,848	19,096,705	759,546	143,882
1980	307,527	26,796,066	1,169,815	142,406
1990	303,716	29,794,350	1,331,182	126,871
1995	340,124	31,377,579	1,637,677	117,526
1997	353,171	31,357,431	1,702,285	134,137
1998	343,565	31,708,431	1,626,133	144,622
1999	343,388	31,708,431	1,752,821	153,238
2000	345,311	32,827,864	1,864,571	140,908
2001	294,026	29,350,052	1,521,498	126,934
2002	287,699	29,939,212	1,668,369	84,422
2003	280,302	31,732,446	1,709,457	84,243
2004	320,013	37,517,496	1,790,448	88,738
2005	349,518	40,884,350	1,747,626	83,202
2006	378,410	42,629,407	1,705,911	99,869
2007	443,752	47,716,941	1,656,431	115,363