Kos Airport Refurbishment Update

[Sinikka Curz]

GovernorKathy Hochul today announced a historic milestone in the ongoing transformation of JFK International Airport, where a record $2.3 billion in contracts have been awarded to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). This is the largest participation of MWBE firms on any public-private partnership project in New York State history. With construction of new airport facilities fully underway, MWBE participation at JFK will continue to break records until the redevelopment is substantially complete expected in 2028. JFK redevelopment also demonstrates a significant focus on working with local contractors, awarding more than $950 million in contracts to Queens-based businesses to date.

To increase MWBE participation at the JFK Redevelopment Program, and across the agency, the Port Authority and its private terminal partners at JFK hosted a variety of capacity-building and technical training programs that prepared firms to be successful in navigating what can at times be complex airport-related procurements. These programs include an academy for principals at architecture and engineering firms, contractor coaching programs that train firms to apply for contracts and construction mentoring programs that recruit, train and mentor MWBE firms to bid on large public construction projects, and project readiness bootcamps. The redevelopment team has also sponsored hundreds of seminars, webinars and forums to help firms become MWBE certified, meet and network with prime contractors, and build the skill sets needed to be successful in the field.

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said, "From the start of the redevelopment of JFK International Airport, it has always been clear that M/WBE firms, local small businesses, and Southeast Queens residents can contribute and benefit from the opportunities generated by this $19 billion project. The record-breaking M/WBE participation in this redevelopment project so far is welcomed progress that the Port Authority and all of its partners should continue to build upon to successfully engage and provide opportunities for M/WBEs and local businesses. I look forward to the continued partnership with my colleagues in government that ensures the investments from this project reach our Southeast Queens community and advance more equitable contracting."

Queens Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tom Grech said, "As a proud member of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council, the Queens Chamber of Commerce commends Governor Hochul's commitment to fostering diversity and economic empowerment through record-breaking MWBE participation during construction at JFK Airport. We have long advocated for the inclusion of MWBE firms across all construction projects in Queens, and this accomplishment signifies not only progress but also the potential for continued growth within our local business community."

Redeveloping JFK Airport in Lockstep with the Local Community

In 2018, the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council was formed. It is co-chaired by U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and is composed of elected officials, community boards, business and nonprofit organizations, civic organizations, and clergy leaders from the targeted local communities of southeast Queens, southwest Queens, the Rockaways, and western portions of Nassau County.

Since its inception, the council has been working with the Port Authority and its private partners to expand community outreach efforts and develop community-focused programs, ensuring that this ambitious project solicits ongoing feedback from local stakeholders and provides meaningful opportunities for local businesses, MWBEs, students and jobseekers. This includes programming to advance the Port Authority's commitment to a 30 percent MWBE contracting goal in all categories of work, and a special focus on opportunities for local businesses across all aspects of the redevelopment of JFK, including terminal projects, which will be built by union labor under project-labor agreements.

Other community development initiatives prioritized by the council focus on job opportunities and workforce development programs for residents in Southeast Queens, small business outreach and development, and educational programming for local students. Specifically, the Council for Airport Opportunity Rockaway Career Center is a job recruiting and referral program to match qualified job seekers with jobs in construction and airport operations focused on the Far Rockaway community. The Office of Second Chance Employment helps connect formerly incarcerated individuals and others with past involvement in the criminal justice system to jobs associated with both airport construction and airport operations. The Institute of Concessions is a specialized training program offering extensive training and mentoring to small, local, and diverse businesses intended to increase the number of local and diverse airport concessionaires. The Aviation and Aeronautics Academy provides an aviation-focused weekend and summer education and enrichment program in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for up to 700 students from grades 1 through 12 annually. In partnership with CUNY York College, it will introduce students from communities surrounding JFK to career opportunities in aviation, airport management and aerospace technology.

Alert. The Federal NOTAM System (FNS) is currently automating the publication of Airport Construction Notice Diagrams to an Automated Closure/Restriction Notice Diagram. Manual Construction Notice Diagrams are no longer developed for airports that have not completed the automation process. To see if an airport currently has an Automated Closure/Restriction Notice Diagram (CNDA) available, search for the specific airport on the FNS NOTAM Search site, located at Federal Aviation Administration: NOTAM Search (faa.gov). The diagram will be located at the top of the search results for that airport. Additionally, you may use the following link to access a list of airports that have issued a NOTAM which has generated a CNDA: Airport Closure/Restriction NOTAM Diagrams (faa.gov).

Airport officials began proactive measures to seal affected areas and prevent additional water intrusion and further deterioration after the report was released on Jan. 12, according to a Friday press release.

"The airport team has been and continues to monitor the infrastructure with a focus on areas where pavement is involved," Director of the Department of Public Infrastructure Johannes Hoevertsz said. "This proactive approach is a standard part of our maintenance routine, ensuring that we address any issues promptly to maintain safety and operational efficiency."

A full repair plan was submitted to the FAA on March 1, detailing steps to fix the drain pipe as well as the runway damage resulting from the culvert's deterioration. Repairs are expected to cost about $600,000.

"Each year, airport officials and Department of Infrastructure personnel coordinate work to complete projects identified in this annual inspection report and within a timeframe agreed upon by the FAA," Airport Manager Jon Stout said. "The safety of the public and employees is the county's top priority, and we can rest assured that the quality of the travel experience at STS will continue to be world-class."

The $8 billion investment to transform LaGuardia Airport is paying off in every way with an elevated customer experience and nation-wide recognition. When we said A Whole New LaGuardia, we meant it. And when we said it will be worth it, our passengers and the nation are affirming it.

As travelers are enjoying the whole new LaGuardia, The Port Authority of NY & NJ turns its attention to setting a new standard for air travel at Newark Liberty International Airport and complete transformation of John F. Kennedy International Airport. Learn more at EWRRedevelopment.com and ANewJFK.com.

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is invested in developing minority, women-owned and small business enterprises. Our partners, LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the operator of Terminal B and Delta Air Lines, the operator of Terminals C & D, are seeking certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) contractors, vendors and consultants for the construction associated with the redevelopment project and operations and maintenance of the terminals.

We work with the Council for Airport Opportunity (CAO) whose mission is to identify and address the critical employment needs of the communities surrounding the New York and New Jersey Metropolitan airports, while at the same time responding to the hiring needs of the airport tenants and the aviation industry.

Runway pavement and other maintenance work starting this summer will result in runway closures at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in 2024 and 2025. More information about this project is provided below.

At times, airport construction and maintenance impact typical runway use. These activities periodically require temporary closures of runways at MSP to ensure the safety of construction crews and aircraft. Additionally, construction activities can impact how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assigns aircraft to open runways.

During the summers of 2024 and 2025, runway and taxiway closures at MSP are planned to complete needed pavement work and runway safety area grading. This work is necessary to ensure critical airport infrastructure maintains the highest level of safety for handling aircraft operations and conforms to FAA specifications.

This work on MSP runways and taxiways is similar to work that is completed on area roads and highways. To reduce the need for additional closures, the 2024 work combines multiple, near future, planned construction projects in an effort to limit impacts to the communities and traveling public as much as possible and will include:

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