PHOTOS: Hochul announces $9.5B plan to rebuild JFK Airport's Terminal 1 starting in 2022

This rendering shows another exterior view of the New Terminal 1 departures and arrivals hall and frontage
This rendering shows another exterior view of the New Terminal 1 departures and arrivals hall and frontage. Photo credit Port Authority of NY & NJ

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $9.5 billion plan Monday to rebuild Terminal 1 at JFK Airport into a “state-of-the-art facility.”

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The 2.4-million-square-feet terminal will be built on the current footprint of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Construction will begin in 2022.

The new terminal will include 23 international gates that will open over the next decade; 14 gates will open by 2026, another five by 2028 and the last four between 2030 and 2032.

“When it is done, it will be an experience that is worthy of the name New York and worthy of the name John F. Kennedy,” Hochul said at a news conference with Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's arrivals hall
This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's arrivals hall. Photo credit Port Authority of NY & NJ
This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's arrivals hall and baggage claim area
This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's arrivals hall and baggage claim area. Photo credit Port Authority of NY & NJ

The plan to revamp the terminal was delayed for about two years because of the pandemic.

“This is our moment to shine,” Hochul said, adding that the New York area has to “dream big” and show the rest of the world it's back after being “brought to our knees” by the coronavirus.

Airlines currently at Terminal 1 include international carriers like Air China, Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Cotton said the terminal project involves $9.5 billion in private investment.

“Every penny that goes into the construction of the terminal itself will come from the private investors,” he said.

This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's post-security retail and dining plaza
This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's post-security retail and dining plaza. Photo credit Port Authority of NY & NJ
This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's customs hall
This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's customs hall. Photo credit Port Authority of NY & NJ

Cotton said the project would be a “fitting compliment” on the south side of the airport to the Terminal Six project on the north side, construction on which begins next year.

Terminal 1 will have a revamped arrivals and departure hall, as well as improvements to the roadways outside the airport. There will also be “best-in-class” technology at check-in and security lines, along with New York–centric concessions, public art installations and family-friendly amentities, Cotton said.

This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's departures hall
This rendering shows an interior view of the New Terminal 1's departures hall. Photo credit Port Authority of NY & NJ
This rendering shows an exterior view of the New Terminal 1 departures and arrivals hall and frontage
This rendering shows an exterior view of the New Terminal 1 departures and arrivals hall and frontage. Photo credit Port Authority of NY & NJ
Featured Image Photo Credit: Port Authority of NY & NJ