By Courtney Dentch
Upholding its newly awarded title of best cargo airport in North America, John F. Kennedy International Airport broke ground last week on a giant cargo facility covering 435,000 square feet.
Construction on the plan, the largest cargo facility project in the airport’s 54-year history, began on April 17, the same day JFK was named the best cargo airport in North America in the Asian Freight Industry Awards, a survey conducted by CargoNews Asia, the region’s leading freight industry publication. JFK beat out competing airports in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and other cities in the 16th annual survey.
The $161 million cargo facility with two buildings is scheduled for completion next summer and will generate more than 2,000 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs, said Dave Garrett III, chairman of Airis Corporation, the project developer.
“We have worked with many different parties to make this landmark project a reality,” Garrett said. “Our aim is to build the premier air cargo terminal in JFK’s extraordinary history.”
Funding for the project will come from tax-exempt special airport facility revenue bonds issued by the New York City Industrial Development Agency and underwritten by UBS PaineWebber, Garrett said.
Tenants for the new buildings will include Lufthansa Cargo, Alliance Airlines, and Cargo Service Center, the world’s largest independent air cargo handler, Garrett said.
The terminals will have direct access to the Van Wyck Expressway, as well as access to taxiways A and B, which link to JFK’s main runways.
“The buildings will be on a prime location at JFK translating into cost savings for the tenant carriers and lower turnaround times,” said Airis Executive Vice President Ron Factor.
The terminals will also have a ramp to accommodate up to six Boeing 747 freighters and 101 truck docks on the ground to prevent vehicular congestion, Garrett said.
The new facilities will help JFK maintain its title as best cargo airport in North America, an award that was announced at the groundbreaking ceremony by William DeCota, Port Authority director of aviation. JFK handles about 2 million tons of cargo from 229 countries a year, and 25 percent of air cargo imported to the United States comes through JFK and Newark airports, DeCota said.
“Cargo companies at Kennedy Airport handle countless types of commodities – everything from aspirin to zoo animals,” said Charles Gargano, vice chairman of the Port Authority. “Virtually every household in this region is filled with items that came into this country as air cargo – from the food on people’s tables to the power tools in their garages.”
Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com, or by phone at 229-0300, Ext. 138.
