New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the $4.2 billion Terminal 6 project at JFK Airport. 

This is the final piece of the JFK Vision Plan, the airport’s major, multi-year initiative to redevelop, modify, and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. This news follows the announcement of the terminal’s financing and approval in November 2022.

The scheme is a public-private partnership between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and a consortium of financial stakeholders named JFK Millennium Partners. 

The new terminal will be developed in two phases, with the first new gates opening in 2026 and construction set to complete in 2028. It will offer an anchor for passenger travel on JFK’s north side, spanning the sites of the former Terminal 6 and the existing Terminal 7. The 50-year-old Terminal 7 facility will be demolished when the second phase of construction begins. 

Terminal 6 will span 1.2 million square feet and include ten new gates, including nine wide-body gates. State-of-the-art technology will be featured throughout the terminal, with touchless technology from check-in to the gates and digital systems aimed to streamline the passenger journey. Automated TSA security lanes, biometric-based access control systems, and a flexible design that leaves room for future technology will also be included.

The terminal’s arrivals and departures hall will feature floor-to-ceiling windows and high ceilings, creating an airy and bright interior. Additionally, more than 100,000 square feet will be dedicated to retail and dining spaces. 

According to the governor's office, the project is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs, including 1,800 union construction jobs, and direct wages of $1.9 billion. JFK Millennium Partners aims to meet and exceed the Port Authority’s goal of 30 percent participation by Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. 

The new Terminal 6 joins three other major projects that are part of the JFK Vision Plan, including the $9.5 billion Terminal One development, the $1.5 billion Terminal 4 expansion, and the $400 million modernization and expansion of Terminal 8. Together, alongside Port Authority’s roadway, parking, and infrastructure projects, they represent an $18 billion transformation of JFK. 

"New York remains committed to providing travelers with a premier experience that includes world-class amenities, expanded and streamlined airport transportation, and state-of-the-art security, "said Governor Hochul. "The groundbreaking of Terminal 6 offers a complete vision for the modernized global gateway [...]."