New Terminal 4 of John F. Kennedy International Airport already sets standard for U.S. Airports

Hundreds of civic officials and industry representatives, yesterday celebrated the official opening of the new Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The 1.5 million square foot new Terminal 4 is an achievement of JFK International Air Terminal LLC. (JFK IAT), a private consortium in which Schiphol USA, subsidiary of Schiphol Group, holds a 40% share.

Terminal 4 is JFK’s most important terminal. Some 40, mainly internationally operating airlines including KLM and partner NorthWest, make use of this terminal. Terminal 4 is the only terminal at JFK which is open around the clock. The new terminal is already viewed to be a hallmark for JFK and other airports in the United States. “Kennedy Airport’s newest and grandest passenger terminal recaptures the glory days of JFK”, governer Pataki said. “It also goes a long way toward restoring Kenndey Airport to its proper status as New York’s world-class international gateway”.

Unique Joint American/Dutch Achievement

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1997 transferred operations of terminal 4 to the JFK IAT consortium. Construction of the new terminal started the same year. Schiphol Group brought in its expertise in terminal management and the development and construction of a terminal while passenger handling was not disrupted in any way. “During the development and design of functionalities we always have placed ourselves in the role of the users – the passengers and the airlines – and we believe that everyone will agree that this splendid terminal was well worth the wait”, says Hans Mohrmann, president of Schiphol USA.

Apart from Schiphol USA, the JFK IAT consortium is formed by LCOR Inc., a national real estate developer, also holding a 40% share, and Lehman Brothers Inc. with a 20% share.

Investments in the new terminal amounted to 1.4 billion US dollars. The project was financed by bond issues from the Port Authority and is an essential part of an extensive renaissance of JFK Airport.

Terminal 4 is one of the largest public/private projects in the United States. It is also the first time that an U.S. air terminal has been developed by a non U.S.-airport operator. In the U.S., airport-management is usually an airline interest. JFK IAT will manage the new Terminal 4 till at least the year 2015.

Common Use Facilities and Wide Open Space

The new Terminal 4 replaces the old International Arrivals Building, erected in 1957, and which could not accommodate the growing number of passengers. Construction was phased so that disruption of operations was kept to the minimum. Demolition of the old building will be finished in April 2002.

The new terminal resembles the highly acclaimed terminal of Schiphol. The building has walls of glass that offer clear lines of sight to the aircraft. Combined with wide-open spaces and a variety of high-quality facilities, Terminal 4 offers travellers a hassle-free experience. Passengers, who have travelled via Schiphol Airport, will also recognise other important details, such as the clear signage and the ‘fly’ in the gentlemen’s toilets.

For the airlines, the terminal reflects a new philosophy in airport management in the United States – as at Schiphol Airport, a ‘common use’ system has been implemented, by which airlines share check-in counters, gates and baggage carousels. This system maximises efficiency and reduces operating costs.

The new Terminal 4 consists of three public levels. The Arrivals Hall on the ground floor measures 500 x 1000 feet and accommodates 52 Immigration and Passport-control counters and 20 Customs counters. The Reclaim hall has seven baggage carousels, each capable of handling two Boeing 747 loads of baggage at once.

The Departure level has four groups of counters with a total of 144 check-in positions. Terminal 4 initially has 10 gates on two concourses. Two gates are already equipped to handle the future Super Jumbo. Gates will be increased to 16, plus 10 ramp parking positions, when demolition of the old building is finished in April 2002.

The mid-level contains the Airtrain light rail station and a 100,000 square feet retail hall. The light rail system will connect Terminal 4 with the other terminals and the parking areas as from early 2002. In 2003, the light rail system will be connected with Jamaica Station, thus offering passengers an easy way to travel on to Manhattan. Terminal 4 is the only terminal at JFK where the trainstation is incorporated in the building.

The retail hall, viewed by many as the terminal’s centrepiece, is as long as four blocks of Fifth Avenue. Designed to reflect an urban streetscape, the retail hall offers passengers and visitors some of the finest shopping and dining in New York City.

The many facilities ensure that Terminal 4 offers a relaxed, enjoyable experience for travelers; a ‘New York style’ version of the AirportCity formula which has been developed by Schiphol Group.

Architects TAMS, Skidmore Owings & MERRILL LLP and Arup Engineers have designed the building.

More Than Just an Air Terminal

Apart from space, transparency by means of glass walls, easy orientation and clear signage and a variety of services and facilities, a lot of attention is given to art – as at Schiphol Airport.

To add to the new terminal’s travel experience, three site-specific large-scale artworks have been commissioned by the JFK IAT consortium. Along the corridors of the two concourses passengers will be surprised by a series of lenticular screens, backlit in suspended stainless steel panels. “Travelogues” by Elizabeth Diller and Richard Scofidio are based on the contents and organisation of a suitcase, thus revealing the personal story of a journey.

Just as passengers are leaving the concourse, they see the beginning of “Curtain Wall” by Harry Roseman. It is a series of draperies, first hung in an orderly, static fashion, but becoming more and more windblown as the traveller moves towards his point of entry in the United States.

When passengers reach the Immigration and Passport control area, they will gaze up at a startling series of 28 panels by Deborah Masters. Her “New York Streets” show all aspects of daily life in the city.

To honour the official opening of Terminal 4, Schiphol Group has commissioned the Dutch artist Mark Brusse to make a special artwork. The art work for Terminal 4 will strongly relate to Mark Brusse’s “I meet You” in Arrivals hall 3 of Schiphol Airport. This work consists of a pair of gigantic wooden shoes on a pedestal, with steps at the bottom. “This work of art reflects the bond between the Netherlands and the United States, and especially between Schiphol Group and Terminal 4”, Pieter Verboom, CFO of Schiphol Group, said. The artwork will be put in place in Spring of 2002, when the old building is completely demolished.

Room for Further Growth

The new terminal allows for further extension without serious operational disturbances. In 2000, Delta Airlines signed a declaration of intent with the JFK IAT consortium, stating that it wants to use Terminal 4 to operate its international flights. At present, Delta Airlines makes use of its own terminals 2 and 3. It is expected that in Autumn negotiations will be concluded. The Delta addition would double the size of the terminal and increase the number of gates from 16 to 42. This project is slated for completion in mid 2005.