Port Authority and Consortium Reach Structural Topping-Out on Landmark $9.5 Billion New Terminal One at JFK Airport

The Crown Jewel of the $19 Billion JFK Airport Transformation

NEW YORK CITY, New York — Marking a decisive milestone in the generational modernization of North American aviation infrastructure, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and The New Terminal One (NTO) consortium have celebrated the structural steel topping-out of Phase 1 of the landmark $9.5 billion New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Representing the centerpiece of the Port Authority’s comprehensive $19 billion transformation of JFK into a unified, world-class global gateway, the 2.4-million-square-foot terminal stands as the largest single-asset project financing in North American airport history.

Constructed upon the collective footprint of the former Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the historic Terminal 3, the monumental facility replaces aging, fragmented mid-century terminals with a luminous, technologically advanced passenger complex. With all structural steel framework erected for the initial opening phase, civil engineering teams have transitioned toward full exterior glass curtain wall enclosures, roof weatherproofing, and interior electromechanical fit-outs.

Phase 1 Delivery and 23 World-Class International Passenger Gates

The New Terminal One is scheduled to welcome its initial international passengers with 14 widebody gates in Phase 1, before expanding to its complete 23-gate configuration across subsequent delivery tranches. Engineered to comfortably process over 16 million annual travelers, the terminal features soaring, column-free departure concourses illuminated by expansive glass skylights that flood the interior with natural daylight.

Passenger convenience and security efficiency are driven by next-generation biometric self-service check-in kiosks, automated bag drops, and cutting-edge computed tomography (CT) security screening lanes that allow travelers to keep liquids and electronics inside carry-on luggage. Beyond security, the departures hall anchors a curated 300,000-square-foot retail and dining promenade showcasing iconic New York culinary institutions, Michelin-caliber dining, and duty-free retail hubs alongside premium lounges operated by premier global airline alliances.

Largest Rooftop Solar Array and Resilient Microgrid in New York City

Engineered to achieve LEED Gold environmental certification, the New Terminal One incorporates the largest municipal rooftop solar photovoltaic array and resilient microgrid in New York State. The integrated 12-megawatt on-site microgrid combines over 13,000 rooftop solar panels, low-emission fuel cells, and advanced battery energy storage systems, generating enough clean, localized electricity to power the terminal's critical operations independently from the external utility grid.

By pairing high-efficiency heat recovery HVAC units, solar photovoltaic power generation, dynamic daylight harvesting, and rainwater reclamation systems, the terminal drastically lowers operational emissions. The sustainable design diverts over 85 percent of construction debris from landfills and incorporates sustainably sourced, low-carbon building materials across its immense interior footprint.

Massive Economic Stimulus and Local Job Creation Across Queens

Port Authority executive leadership and regional civic authorities emphasized that the New Terminal One functions as an extraordinary engine of local economic prosperity across Southeast Queens and Greater New York. The megaproject has supported more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, including over 6,000 high-paying union construction positions.

Crucially, the consortium has achieved historic benchmarks in social equity, awarding over $1 billion in construction contracts to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and local enterprise partners. By harmonizing architectural grandeur, clean energy engineering, and inclusive community contracting, JFK’s New Terminal One establishes an enduring standard for 21st-century international air travel.