Controversial plans to ease congestion both in the air and on the ground could have a serious impact on travel to and from the Big Apple next summer. Colin Ellson reports Major airports worldwide must be wondering why they never thought of the answer to overcrowded terminals and congested airspace. Obvious, really – all you need do is cut the number of flights by 50%. Such is the solution being mooted for the summer by the Bush administration, represented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to tackle the problems at New York's John F. Kennedy airport; one which some might think illustrates the maxim that those whom the gods wish to destroy they first drive mad. Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates JFK, puts it a little more diplomatically. "Unfortunately, the FAA's approach of cutting flights isn't a solution," he says. "In fact, it's potentially a recipe for worsening the problem by pushing growing passenger demand to other airports. We face a crisis right now, and real solutions mean meeting the demands of families and businesses who need to fly, expanding capacity, and working to treat all customers better." Adds the Authority's executive director, Anthony E. Shorris: "The FAA's action would simply put a 'No Vacancy' sign up at one of the nation's busiest airports and then walk away from the problem." To find a more realistic solution, American, Continental, Delta and other US airlines are currently in talks with the FAA. Meanwhile, the Port Authority plans to avert a reduction in passenger numbers from the current 42 million-plus to the 21 million of 1969 by investing more than US$1 billion "expanding capacity, improving efficiency and maintaining safety". Much development has already taken place or is under way at the top international gateway to the US, from where 93 airlines fly from nine terminals to well over 150 destinations around the globe. Completed redevelopment projects include Terminals 1 and 4, American Airlines' impressive new Terminal 8, and upgrades to Delta's Terminals 2 and 3, JetBlue's Terminal 6, and British Airways' Terminal 7. And in December 2005, construction began on a 26-gate terminal for JetBlue – the biggest user of JFK with over 27% market share – due to open this year. More immediately, the Port Authority issued comprehensive recommendations earlier this month designed to thwart the schemes of the US administration in its last year in office. These will be dovetailed into the 100 technical and customer service initiatives in a report by JFK's Flight Delay Task Force, also published at the end of last year. The plan is far reaching and includes the implementation of an IATA-like scheduling process to rationalise domestic and foreign carrier schedules, and the use of airport facilities by ensuring adequate airspace capacity and appropriate landside facilities for each flight. The Authority is also working with the Department of Defence in an effort to reopen military airspace for commercial airline use during peak periods, is asking the federal government to fast track next generation technology for JFK, and is investing something in excess of US$30 million this year to improve customer service when flight delays occur. In addition, the Port Authority is in discussion with airlines to encourage the use of larger aircraft, to accommodate which it has invested US$200 million to provide additional space. It says that although small planes play an important role in serving lesser markets, the introduction of larger types will increase capacity and help growth by carrying more passengers. Says Anthony Shorris: "We have worked tirelessly and invested hundreds of millions of dollars to provide workable solutions to delays in air travel. Capping flights or burdening customers with new costs isn't the answer."
Passengers planning to travel to or through John F. Kennedy next summer can only hope the FAA takes note and shelves its 50 cents to a dollar idea. At-a-glance guide
Location: 15 miles (24km) from midtown Manhattan
Transport links: Airtrain JFK provides free connections between terminals. It links with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), the New York subway, and buses at Jamaica and Howard Beach stations, with a $5 (€3.40) charge on exiting. The one-way fare from JFK to Manhattan, using Airtrain and LIRR, is $12 (€8) at peak hours, with a journey time of 35 minutes. The trip on the New York Airport Express Service bus takes 45-65 minutes at a fare of $15 (€10). The flat cab rate is $45(€30.5), plus tolls, for the 35-minute journey
Annual passenger throughput: 42,629,407 (2006)
Minimum connecting time: 90 minutes
Executive lounges: all the major airlines and many domestic carriers offer their own premium class lounges at JFK or share with alliance partners. Alternatively, Economy and Premium Economy/Coach passengers can use pay-as-you-enter facilities, or gain access through membership of companies like Priority Pass, which has Executive lounges in T1 and T7
Airline locations: T1: Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa. T2: Continental, Song. T3: Delta. T4: Northwest, Virgin Atlantic, Air India and most non-US airlines T5: Temporarily closed. T6: JetBlue. T7: British Airways, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Icelandair, Qantas, Thai Airways, United. T8: American Airlines international flights, Finnair. T9: American Airlines domestic flights, American Eagle
Banks/cashpoints: Citibank (building 72), ATMs all terminals except T5.
Airport hotels: Crowne Plaza, Ramada Plaza, JFK Inn, Comfort Inn JFK, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Comfort Inn Jamaica, Holiday Inn JFK, Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard By Marriott, Super 8 Motel, Howard Johnson Jamaica, Jamaica Days Inn
Car rental desks: Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National
Website: www.panynj.gov
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