In 2008, in partnership with the Port Authority, JetBlue opened its state-of-the-art Terminal 5 facility. Credit: JetBlue

NEW YORK CITY—JetBlue has issued a Request for Qualifications for developers interested in pursuing the development of a new terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport here.

The project is to be conducted in coordination with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's master plan process for JFK Airport. JetBlue is looking to lead the development of the former Terminal 6 site, as well as potentially the Terminal 7 site. The Terminal 6 project seeks to accommodate increases in customer traffic in the New York City region as well as “enhance and facilitate code-sharing and interline agreements, and open the door to new value-enhancing partnership opportunities.”

Airline officials say the project is aligned with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's ambitious $10-billion redevelopment plan announced in January that seeks to spark up to $7 billion in private investment at JFK Airport.

“Terminal 5 has been and will continue to be a key factor in our success in New York from a customer experience and revenue growth perspective,” says Lisa Reifer, vice president infrastructure, properties and development, JetBlue. “This project lays the groundwork for JetBlue's future leadership in our largest focus city. We are seeking innovative, cost- and capital-efficient approaches to Gov. Cuomo's ambitious vision for JFK to deliver a world-class airport experience for our customers and crew members while allowing us to maximize the value of our strategic airport assets.”

According to the RFQ, a phased development on the Terminal 6 and potentially the Terminal 7 site would call for:

• Phased development on the Terminal 6 and potentially the Terminal 7 site,

• The addition of international gates for JetBlue and partner airlines,

• Seamless connection to Terminal T5 and throughout the new facilities,

• New curb-frontage and roadways providing increased vehicle capacity and enhanced access to the terminals.

Responses to the RFQ are due no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2017. JetBlue plans to notify qualified teams by September 2017. That same month it will issue an RFP on the project and expects to select a winning Best Value team by the first quarter of 2018.

When asked if there were more specifics on the size of the new terminal, Tamara Young, manager corporate communications for JetBlue, stated, “We are looking at a phased development on the Terminal 6 and potentially the Terminal 7 site, creating a visionary and transformative integrated complex. It's too early to get into the specifics of the design—at this phase, we are looking for qualified developers.

Gov. Cuomo, as part of his budget message stated that he vision plan includes $1.5 billion to $2 billion in spending by the State Department of Transportation to improve the roadways leading to JFK. The Panel also recommended the development of actionable plans to expand rail mass transit access to the airport. The panel laid out other options including doubling the capacity of the AirTrain, improving the MTA's subway and LIRR connections to the AirTrain at Jamaica Station, and exploring the feasibility of a one-seat rail ride to JFK.

Among some of the key recommendations from a governor's panel on JFK's future included interconnecting terminals by expanding newer terminals and redeveloping/relocating older terminals, as well as adding world-class amenities that would include fine dining, duty-free shopping, best-in-class retail, and conference and meeting room facilities. That process began with the groundbreaking in December of a new TWA Flight Center Hotel.

In 2008, in partnership with the Port Authority, JetBlue opened its state-of-the-art Terminal 5 facility. From JFK, JetBlue offers up to 175 daily nonstop flights to 70 destinations throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Last year 13.9 million travelers passed through Terminal 5. The 800,000-square-foot terminal currently boasts 29 gates distributed throughout three concourses, an international arrival extension, and a 55,000-square-foot central retail and concession marketplace.

NEW YORK CITY—JetBlue has issued a Request for Qualifications for developers interested in pursuing the development of a new terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport here.

According to the RFQ, a phased development on the Terminal 6 and potentially the Terminal 7 site would call for:

• Phased development on the Terminal 6 and potentially the Terminal 7 site,

• The addition of international gates for JetBlue and partner airlines,

• Seamless connection to Terminal T5 and throughout the new facilities,

• New curb-frontage and roadways providing increased vehicle capacity and enhanced access to the terminals.

Instant Insights /

JetBlue Looking For Developer Partners on Terminal 6/7 Sites at JFK Airport

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