The Port Authority and JFK Airport Terminal 4 Operator JFKIAT Celebrate 25 Years of Public-Private Ownership

JFK’s Terminal 4 is the Nation’s First Airport Terminal to be Operated as a Non-Airline, Public-Private Partnership

Recently Completed $1.5 Billion Expansion of Terminal 4 is a Component of the Port Authority’s $19 Billion Transformation of John F. Kennedy International Airport

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 (T4) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), are this month celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the nation’s first airport terminal to be operated by a non-airline, public-private partnership.

T4 opened in May 2001 after the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFKIAT formed a public-private partnership to develop, build and operate the largest terminal at JFK, replacing the former international arrivals building. JFKIAT’s formation broke new ground as the first non-airline, public-private partnership to operate a U.S. airport terminal. Since assuming operation of T4, JFKIAT continues to upgrade and expand the terminal, bringing its capacity up from 4 million passengers to 27 million passengers annually, increasing the terminal’s physical footprint to cover more than 2 million square feet, serving a wide range of airlines, and driving innovation across T4’s operations every step of the way.

The terminal underwent significant expansions in 2013, 2015 and 2024, adding hundreds of thousands of square feet and new gates. T4’s exceptional sustainability standards earned first LEED Gold and then LEED Platinum status from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the only preexisting air terminal in the United States to receive LEED Platinum recognition. T4’s safety and security operation – which established a state-of-the-art security operations center in 2018 – has also been hailed as the gold standard for security at JFK and in the aviation industry.

T4’s recent $1.5 billion expansion and modernization, in partnership with Delta Air Lines, is a component of the Port Authority’s $19 billion transformation of John F. Kennedy International Airport, which includes two expanded and modernized terminals, two new terminals and an entirely new and simplified airport roadway network. The Port Authority’s $3.9 billion public investment in roadways and airport infrastructure at JFK has leveraged $15 billion in private investment in new or modernized terminals. The Port Authority has successfully used public-private partnerships to create world-class airport facilities at both LaGuardia Airport and at JFK. That strategy will also be used for the next phase of the redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport.

“Public-private partnerships not only bring critical financial resources to our airport   redevelopment projects, but our private partners also provide a wealth of expertise in the design, construction and operation of airport terminals,” said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia. “Thanks to the partnership between the Port Authority and JFKIAT, we’ve been able to make the investments needed at T4 to create the passenger experience that travelers to New York expect and deserve.”

“Congratulations to JFKIAT for a quarter-century of stewardship at JFK’s Terminal 4, where we pioneered the use of public-private partnerships in the United States to build and operate world-class airport terminals,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Beginning with our partnership with JFKIAT at T4, the Port Authority has been at the forefront of leveraging private investment to execute our historic, $50 billion transformation of the region’s airports.”

“After completion of the new building in 2001, Terminal 4 officially opened under JFKIAT’s operation,” said Roel Huinink, Chief Executive Officer of JFKIAT. “25 years later, we have become a recognized leader in the aviation industry that welcomes millions of passengers every year. Throughout our journey, our mission to deliver incredible journeys, uphold the highest standards of safety, and drive innovation in every aspect of our operation has remained constant. As we look ahead, we are more committed than ever to elevating the T4 experience as we invest in our people and partners, and set even higher benchmarks for New York City’s premier international gateway.”

JFKIAT’s commitment to cultivating the T4 community has been central to navigating 25 years of rapid change in the aviation industry. By fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication, the company has built enduring business partnerships with its airlines – many of which recently extended their agreements with JFKIAT. The company’s leadership extends beyond its business partnerships to the entire T4 community of employees, creating an innovative and inclusive environment that draws on the rich cultural fabric of Queens and the greater New York City landscape to elevate the travel experience. As a Queens-based business, JFKIAT also has a long history of supporting the community around the airport through its corporate social responsibility program, 4GOOD, to invest in initiatives that benefit residents, small businesses, and organizations in the borough that it calls home.

As JFKIAT marks this significant milestone, the company is also celebrating the completion of its $1.5 billion redevelopment and transformation – its most ambitious expansion of T4 to date – as part of the Port Authority’s redevelopment of JFK to transform it into a world-class gateway. In the next phase of the transformation, JFKIAT is leading the T4 North Star, a strategic vision across the T4 community and stakeholders to reimagine the future of the terminal experience and bring T4’s transformation to life. In the coming months, that work will encompass capitalizing on T4’s differentiators to revamp its entire commercial program, launch new services and amenities for passengers, and harness the T4 community’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative power to set a new gold standard for the terminal experience. 

Transforming JFK Into a World-Class Global Gateway

In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform JFK into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve. The vision plan provides a strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The $400 million expansion of Terminal 8, led by American Airlines, which operates the terminal, was completed in November 2022. An additional $125 million investment in the redevelopment of Terminal 8’s commercial program is complete. The $9.5 billion New Terminal One broke ground in September 2022. A new $4.2 billion Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on the airport’s north side, broke ground in February 2023. The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by JFKIAT and Delta Air Lines, was completed in 2024.

The transformation of JFK involves four new public private partnerships entered into by the Port Authority. The Port Authority’s $3.9 billion public investment in JFK infrastructure, including a new and simplified roadway network, a new ground transportation center, utility upgrades and airside improvements has leveraged $15 billion in private investment by the private partners for new and modernized terminals.