Our Airports Take Off
An Overview Of Queens’ Fields
The steinway no. 2 municipal parking lot. Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen
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New York is the largest city in the United States and the self-dubbed the “Capital of the World.” And as an integral influence in fashion, technology and all global and national industries, it is no wonder why over 37.8 million tourists flocked to New York in 2003. And many of those tourists first stepped foot by way of Queens. This borough is home to two of the three major metropolitan airports – John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport (Newark is in New Jersey).
Two years ago, the airports signed a 99-year lease agreement ensuring their continued dominance as a hub for dozens of airlines, their commitment to growth and improvements and their commitment to Queens. As part of the new lease, some $100 million will be invested over the next five years to improve roads, allay noise concerns and reduce emissions in and around the airports.
the airTRAIN provides a quick link between jfk and downtown jamaica. Tribune Photo By Ira Cohen
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John F. Kennedy International Airport
OPERATED BY
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is operated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under a lease with the City of New York since June 1, 1947.
LOCATION
JFK is located in the southeastern section of Queens County on Jamaica Bay. It is 15 miles by highway from midtown Manhattan.
SIZE
The airport consists of 4,930 acres, including 880 acres in the central terminal area. It has more than 30 miles of roadways and is 12.7 feet above sea level.
HISTORY
Construction began in April 1942, when the City of New York contracted for the placing of hydraulic fill over the marshy tidelands on the site of Idlewild Golf Course. Planned at first for 1,000 acres, the airport grew to five times that size.
First commercial flights began on July 1, 1948. The airport was formally dedicated as New York International Airport on July 31, 1948. It was re-dedicated on Dec. 24, 1963, as John F. Kennedy International Airport, following action of the Mayor and Council of the City of New York and a resolution of the Commissioners of the Port Authority.
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM
On Dec. 17, 2003, AirTrain, a fully automated Light Rail Transit System opened to link JFK’s central terminals with the Long Island Rail Road and the New York City subway system.
Map overview of JFK's terminals.
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CENTRAL TERMINAL AREA
The Central Terminal Area consists of nine airline passenger terminals surrounded by a dual ring of peripheral taxiways (Terminal 5 is temporarily closed). Initially 655 acres, the central terminal was enlarged to 880 acres by relocation of the taxiways to provide space needed for expansion of the passenger terminals.
To further assist travelers, a new color-coding system (green, blue, orange and red) is used on all signs relating to each terminal—from the entrances to the airport to parking near each terminal.
PARKING
The airport’s total of over 14,700 public parking spaces includes the employee lot, two 1,400-space parking garages, the long-term lot and an additional 3,200 spaces in the central terminal area.
In response to the increased demand for parking, new parking facilities have been constructed and are presently in use. Additional parking garages are also planned.
a plane comes in to land at laguardia airport. Tribune Photo By Ira Cohen
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LaGuardia Airport
OPERATED BY
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) has been operated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under a lease with the City of New York since June 1, 1947.
LOCATION
LGA is on Flushing Bay and borders Bowery Bay. It is eight miles from midtown Manhattan.
SIZE
The airport consists of 680 acres and 72 aircraft gates. It is 12.7 feet above sea level.
HISTORY
The site was first occupied by Gala Amusement Park. Transformed in 1929 into a 105-acre private flying field, it was first named Glenn H. Curtiss Airport and later North Beach Airport. Taken over by New York City, it was enlarged by purchase of adjoining land and by filling in 357 acres of waterfront along the east side.
Ground was broken on Sept. 9, 1937, for a new airport, which was built jointly by the City and the Federal Works Progress Administration. It was dedicated on Oct. 15, 1939, as New York City Municipal Airport. On Nov. 2, 1939, the name was changed to New York Municipal Airport—LaGuardia Field. On Dec. 2 of that year, it was opened to commercial traffic.
In 1947, the year the airport was leased to the Port Authority, it was renamed LaGuardia Airport. A new Central Terminal Building was opened in 1964 and enlarged in 1967 and 1992.
Map overview of LaGuardia airport.
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CENTRAL TERMINAL BUILDING
The Central Terminal Building was dedicated on April 17, 1964, and serves most of the airport’s scheduled domestic airlines.
It is 1,300 feet long and 180 feet wide, with 750,000 square feet of floor space. Originally constructed at a cost of $36 million, the six-block-long structure consists of a four-story central section, two three-story wings and four concourses leading to 40 aircraft gate positions. The Central Terminal Building recently completed a $340 million expansion and modernization. The centerpiece, a $47 million project for a complete redevelopment of the center section, included new elevators and escalators to accommodate the elderly and disabled as well as a new shopping concourse.
–Facts and figures courtesy of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
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