Fact Sheet
New York area airports are in desperate need of modernization, lagging behind both domestic and global competitors, to the detriment of our brand and economy. So, here are some of the reasons why we do what we do:
1
Increasing Passenger Traffic
In 2015, New York City airports handled a record-breaking 122 million passengers, with approximately 57 million passengers at JFK, 28 million at LaGuardia, and 37 million at Newark. By 2030, 130 million passenger are expected. (Port Authority of NY & NJ)
2
Growing Tourism Industry
New York City welcomed a record-breaking 56.4 million tourists in 2014, generating an all-time-high $61.3 billion in overall economic impact. (The Office of the Mayor and NYC & Co)
3
Ranked Worst in America
In 50 years, New York and New Jersey have gone from having three leading global airports to three of the worst ranked in the nation. According to a 2012 Travel + Leisure Airport Survey, the dilapidated state of the airport buildings and general lack of cleanliness; the poorly run check-in, security and baggage handling processes; and poor WiFi connections meant LaGuardia was ranked the worst airport in the U.S., JFK ranked fourth worst, and Newark fifth worst.
4
Economic Impact
The airports generate $94 billion in the economic activity and account for half a million jobs, including 233,000 jobs at JFK, 148,000 at Newark and 119,000 at LaGuardia. (GGA/Partnership for NYC)
5
Operating at Capacity
The number of flights allowed into New York's major airports is capped and, as a result, our airports are unable to add a single new arriving or departing flight without losing another, which inhibits growth.
6
Plagued by Delays
LaGuardia, JFK and Newark lead the nation in flight delays. This is caused in part by the decades-old air traffic control system, which is ill-equipped to manage the world's most crowded airspace. The congestion in the New York airspace is responsible for nearly 75% of all air traffic delays in the country every day.
7
Capacity Constraints
If there is no material improvement in the congestion and delay situation in our region, studies have shown that by 2030, the New York area will be faced with 30 million unserved air passengers per year. (NY Daily News)
8
Cost of Congestion
The congestion at New York area airports resulted in $2.6 billion in losses to the regional economy in 2008 and is expected to rise to $79 billion by 2025, including over $16 billion in lost revenue and $5.5 billion in lost labor income. (Partnership for NYC)
9
The Solution
The solution is to modernize the air traffic control system through the implementation of a series of nationwide technological reforms known as NextGen, which will replace the out-of-date radar system with GPS, along with expanding terminal and runway capacity, improving amenities and increasing transportation access.
10
Delays Cost Money
It is estimated that a 30-35% reduction in NextGen funding would delay implementation until 2035, and result in $80 billion in economic losses and $1.3 million in lost jobs per year. (NY Daily News)