AIRPORT OPERATIONS ASSIGNMENT

Airport Operations Assignment

Airport Operations Assignment

In 1999, American Airlines began an eight-year programme to build the largest passenger terminal at John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, New York. The project is a $950 million venture that required the demolition of terminals 8 and 9, and their replacement with a mega terminal featuring 55 gates, 37 for large jets and 18 for American Eagle's regional jets.

"In 1999, American Airlines began an eight-year programme to build the largest passenger terminal at JFK." (Countryman, 2007, 22-29)

Designed to accommodate more than 13 million passengers annually (previous terminals could only handle eight million), the mammoth 184,000m² terminal, with three concourses, has been built in four phases employing over 1,000 construction workers.

The terminal officially opened in August 2007, despite having already been handling some flights for two years. The final sections opened in August 2007 and featured two lounges and a private check-in area for first and business class passengers.

Other projects underway are the expansion and upgrade of Terminal 7 by British Airways. Already completed is the construction of Terminal 1, on the site of the former Eastern Airlines facility; and Terminal 4, on the site of the former international arrivals building; a light rail transit system that will connect airport passengers to New York mass transit (opened in 2003); and new and improved roadway systems and utilities (completed in 2004).

JFK Airport Background

JFK International Airport has been operated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, under a lease with the City of New York, since 1 June 1947. The airport is located in the south-eastern section of Queens County, New York City, on Jamaica Bay, and consists of 4,930ac, including 880ac in the central terminal area. American Airlines currently flies 55 jets and 77 American Eagle commuter jets and turbo props daily from JFK Airport. However, due to growth in demand, the company decided that expansion was needed to accommodate greater flight capacity as well as frequency.

Terminal Project

The terminal has centralised ground access and passenger processing at JFK Airport. In addition to its overall upgrades, American Airlines' goal is to 'no longer treat commuter passengers as second-class citizens' who must take separate buses to their planes. They are now able to board from the main concourse via a loading bridge.

The four-phase project, which started in November 1999, was completed in August 2007. It included the relocation of utilities on the airside and landside, the demolition of the old terminals, the construction of the road systems and the new facility. American Airlines has taken charge of the design, construction and financing of the facility (a 42-acre site behind the old terminals). (Countryman, 2007, 22-29)

There are three primary levels (four concourses) - one for arrivals (two arrivals concourses) and baggage handling, one for departures and one for clubs, lounges and offices. A new two-level roadway gives separation between arrivals and departures, each level having 1,200ft of kerb space. There are 24 kerbside check-in positions and 200 check-in positions at the main ticket counter (all of ...