Port Authority Advances $9.5 Billion JFK New Terminal One as Landmark 2.6-Million-Square-Foot Gateway Enters Systems Integration and Operational Trials

Major Milestones on JFK’s Largest International Terminal Megaproject

NEW YORK, New York — As part of the monumental $19 billion transformation of John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and the New Terminal One (NTO) consortium—led by Ferrovial, Carlyle, JLC Infrastructure, and Ullico—have advanced the $9.5 billion New Terminal One project into intensive architectural fit-out and comprehensive systems integration. Spanning an expansive 2.6 million square feet upon full completion, the state-of-the-art facility stands as the largest single-terminal redevelopment in JFK's history, engineered to redefine the international travel experience for millions of global visitors passing through Queens.

With primary structural steel framing and exterior glass curtain wall enclosures firmly in place, engineering and aviation operations teams are transitioning from heavy civil construction to advanced operational testing and trials ahead of the terminal's Phase 1 commercial debut in early 2027.

Phase 1 Delivery Featuring 14 International Widebody Gates

The initial delivery phase of New Terminal One encompasses soaring, naturally illuminated departures and arrivals halls along with 14 modern international gates (13 permanent gates and one transitional swing gate) capable of accommodating the aviation industry's largest widebody passenger aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X. When fully built out in 2030 across the footprints of existing Terminals 1, 2, and the former Terminal 3, the completed terminal complex will feature 23 international gates, more than 300,000 square feet of curated dining, duty-free, and lounge amenities, and state-of-the-art baggage handling facilities.

Airlines including Air France, KLM, Etihad Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, EVA Air, and Philippine Airlines have already executed long-term tenancy agreements to operate their premier transatlantic and transpacific routes from the new facility.

Next-Generation Biometrics and Frictionless Security Screening

New Terminal One integrates world-class airport security and passenger processing innovations. Travelers will experience frictionless curb-to-gate journeys powered by automated biometric check-in kiosks, digital bag drops, and cutting-edge Transportation Security Administration (TSA) computed tomography (CT) checkpoint scanners that eliminate the need for passengers to remove electronics or liquids from carry-on luggage.

Below the departures level, a fully automated, high-speed Individual Carrier System (ICS) baggage handling system spans miles of conveyor lines, ensuring pinpoint tracking accuracy, rapid transfer times between international connections, and maximum operational efficiency during peak travel windows.

Sustainable Microgrid Architecture and Economic Impact

Engineered to achieve LEED Silver certification, the New Terminal One incorporates the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic array of any airport terminal in the United States, anchored by a 13-megawatt localized microgrid utilizing solar canopies and fuel cells to deliver uninterrupted, resilient clean energy. The project has also generated over 10,000 regional union construction jobs while surpassing ambitious minority- and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) contracting participation goals, solidifying JFK Airport's role as a primary economic engine for New York City and the tristate area.