Landing soon: the New Terminal One at JFK, a new international gateway for the United States

c: The New Terminal One at JFK

Over two years ago, when the first shovels touched the dirt in a vacant lot at New York John F. Kennedy Airport, a journey was begun to create one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the world: the New Terminal One, a fully international terminal, built in partnership with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as the largest public-private partnership in the nation.

Even the most seasoned travellers among us will agree on one thing – there is no city like New York. As the world’s centre for business, finance and culture, New York has long been our global reference point for what makes a great city. And synonymous with New York’s history of welcoming visitors from abroad, JFK Airport has been the United States’ longstanding number one gateway for international air passenger traffic.

A city like New York deserves world class airport infrastructure to match its global reputation and our partners at the Port Authority are overseeing a $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport. With a mandate to expand and modernise the busiest airport in the world’s largest metropolitan area, the redevelopment of JFK Airport is the country’s most ambitious infrastructure programme to date.

Anchoring this transformational redevelopment, the New Terminal One is backed by a group of financial sponsors with significant expertise in infrastructure development, operations, finance and labour: Ferrovial Airports, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico and Carlyle. Our project’s $9 billion Phase A is the country’s largest single-asset project financing and is set to reimagine air travel, with an ambition to be ranked among the top five airport terminals in the world by Skytrax.

c: The New Terminal One at JFK

More than two years later, we are well on the way to achieving our vision. Since breaking ground in September 2022, we are on schedule and on budget to open our Phase A, with 14 new gates, in 2026. When finished, the 2.6 million square feet terminal will feature 23 gates in total, 22 of which will be capable of handling widebody aircraft and enabling airlines to grow their long-haul capacity to New York.

To date, 11 airlines have signed on to operate out of the New Terminal One: Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos, Philippine Airlines and Turkish Airlines. In addition, Air China is partnering with us on elevating the travel experience for Chinese customers visiting New York. And we expect more airlines to continue to sign on in the months ahead.

Set to be the nation’s largest standalone airport terminal, the New Terminal One’s scale will defy anything that has ever been constructed in the United States. Our Phase A is being built with 33,000 tons of structural steel – the equivalent of five Eiffel Towers. Our terminal headhouse’s security screening area will be the size of an American football field. With ceilings soaring up to 90 feet high and expansive spaces flooded by natural light, our terminal will offer a refreshingly different experience for travellers weary of congested airports and long lines.

c: The New Terminal One at JFK

Unparalleled customer experience

Developers will know that beautiful architecture and design make up only one part of what makes an airport appealing to airlines and passengers. At the New Terminal One, we are investing in the latest technology so customers will have a seamless experience from curb to gate. This commitment extends from customer-facing technology such as biometrics, to airside technology that reduces inefficiencies in flight operations and mitigates the impact of flight delays.

We are also investing in customer service training. At the New Terminal One, our vision is to make every journey an extraordinary moment to remember. Every team member who will interact with customers will undergo our customer training programme and be equipped with the necessary skills to offer an unmatched level of customer service to our guests.

Our dining and retail experience will set a new benchmark in the United States and place us among the other top airport terminals in the world. We will offer customers a curated mix of global powerhouse luxury brands, New York’s signature global cuisine and thoughtfully selected local brands. Our goal is to create a unique and exciting experience that is authentically New York, reflecting the cultural richness of our great city while driving opportunities for local business participation.

c: The New Terminal One at JFK

Local impact

When the New Terminal One first launched, it was with a firm commitment to drive participation for local, minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) and to deliver benefits to the local community. We are fortunate to benefit from the skilled and diverse talent in our neighbouring communities, who have contributed across all phases of our project.  

To date, we are meeting our goal of 30% MWBE involvement, have hit a milestone of over $1.2 billion of work contracted with MWBE firms, and are on track to create over 10,000 jobs with a focus on impact in Queens and Southeast Queens in particular.

For generations, New York City has been the front door to the United States for those arriving and departing our nation; it is an honour and a privilege to transform that gateway here at New Terminal One, and we can’t wait to welcome guests to enjoy this experience first-hand.

c: The New Terminal One at
JFK

Jennifer Aument is Chief Executive Officer of the New Terminal One, a private consortium developing a world-class international terminal that will anchor the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s $19 billion redevelopment of John F. Kennedy Airport. The New Terminal One’s $9.5 billion first phase, scheduled to open in 2026, is the largest single-asset project financing in U.S. history and the nation’s largest public-private partnership.

Jennifer brings more than 25 years of experience in developing and delivering major infrastructure projects across the highway, rail, airport and port sectors, with a focus on public-private partnerships. She has a strong track record of advancing complex infrastructure and megaprojects efficiently and safely on behalf of leading equity investors and developers, for both the private and public sectors.

Prior to joining the New Terminal One in April 2024, Jennifer served as Chief Executive of AECOM’s Global Transportation business, leading a team of 14,000 to deliver innovative transportation solutions for clients of the pre-eminent transportation consulting and design firm.

She previously served as President and CEO of leading infrastructure investor Transurban’s North American business, where she oversaw the development, financing and operations of major toll road infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to her private sector experience, Jennifer served for a decade on the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Port Authority. She has contributed to the boards of several publicly listed and private organisations in the transportation and technology sectors, including investment firms Meridiam and Strategic Value Partners and the non-profit transportation policy think-tank, Eno Center for Transportation. Jennifer has also served as an Executive in Residence at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy, where she taught a graduate course on delivering modern mega transportation projects.