New York Construction Report staff writer
The opening of an expanded Terminal 8 marks completion of the first phase of the historic JFK Vision Plan to transform the international airport into a world-class global hub.
“The completion of Terminal 8 is the latest milestone in our historic efforts to build a whole new JFK,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “I congratulate American Airlines, British Airways and the Port Authority for the first of what will be many milestones to come.
“We will continue our close partnerships as we transform JFK into a magnificent global gateway that will help to keep New York at the center of the world stage.”
The $400 million, privately financed expansion and modernization will allow British Airways to move from its long-time home in Terminal 7 and the 60-year-old Terminal 7 will be demolished to make way for construction on a new terminal to start early next year.
Terminal 8 involved the work of more than 115 unique minority- and women-owned businesses that were awarded contracts totaling more than $161 million, exceeding the Port Authority’s commitment to at least 30 percent MWBE participation at the agency’s capital projects. Local businesses were awarded nearly $33 million in contracts at Terminal 8.
“This inspiring expansion of Terminal 8, fostering superb hourly services between JFK and London, is an example of what’s to come at JFK, where our vision for a world-class, 21st century airport is now unfolding from one end of the airport to the other,” said Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton. “This investment by our private partners at Terminal 8 is a vote of confidence in the future of the airport and of the JFK region.”
Terminal 8 will also be undergoing a major concessions upgrade across the terminal over the next 18 months, including locally-inspired food and beverage options.
“This expansion of Terminal 8 at JFK International Airport represents the completion of a portion of this critical, large-scale redevelopment plan that continues to play a crucial role in revitalizing New York’s economic recovery and creating good paying, middle class careers with benefits,” said Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York president Gary LaBarbera. “Completing these projects will open a gateway to a new era in New York and we celebrate being a step closer in fully modernizing JFK International Airport.”
In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced and three major components of the airport’s transformation now underway”
- The $9.5 billion development of a state-of-the-art New Terminal One that will anchor the airport’s south side broke ground in September 2022.
- The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal, was approved in the spring of 2021, broke ground in the fall of 2021 and is now under construction with completion expected in the fall of next year.
- $4.2 billion development of a new Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly to Terminal 5 to anchor the airport’s north side, achieved financial close earlier this month, securing full private financing for the project, and will begin construction in the next 90 days.
