JFK Terminal 3 Site Redevelopment to Move Forward, Benefitting Traveling Public, Region and Job Creation

NEW YORK, June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing the former Pan Am Worldport's place in John F. Kennedy International Airport's aviation history, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will partner to create a suitable tribute to the Worldport during the redevelopment of the Terminal 3 site. Delta and the Port Authority will consider incorporating artifacts that may include models used by Milton Hebald to create the 'Zodiac' sculptures as well as photographs.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090202/DELTALOGO )
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130626/CL39294LOGO )

While the building did not receive recognition by the State's Historic Preservation Office, Delta and the Port Authority are committed to creating an appropriate tribute and will work with the preservation community to ensure the Worldport is properly remembered.

The long planned redevelopment of JFK's Terminal 3 site, which is currently underway, is essential to efficient airline operations and to improving the travel experience for the millions of passengers who use JFK every year. It also will allow airlines at Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 to stage aircraft closer to the terminals, saving valuable time for passengers.

Delta's $1.4 billion redevelopment plan at JFK will generate more than 10,000 jobs in the New York region by 2014 – including 200 construction jobs through the abatement, demolition and redevelopment of the Terminal 3 site. The work includes a full-project labor agreement, with approximately 21 percent minority and women-owned business enterprise participation.

The economic vitality of the region is dependent on continued investment in the region's airports and the creation of world-class 21^st century facilities. JFK is a land-constrained airport and redeveloping Terminal 3 is consistent with the JFK master plan. The project is vital to ensuring significant, long-term future growth, development and job creation at the airport, one of the nation's most vital international gateways.

While the Port Authority has preserved historic structures at each of its major airports – including the TWA Flight Center at JFK, the Marine Air Terminal at LaGuardia and the administration building at Newark Liberty – the adaptive reuse of Terminal 3 is not feasible. Preserving the obsolete structure will cost jobs for the region, lead to passenger delays, and hold back the future expansion of JFK Airport.

Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency's network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where construction crews are building the iconic One World Trade Center, which is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the State of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, please visit http://www.panynj.gov.

Delta Air Lines is New York City's largest and fastest growing carrier, providing service to more destinations from New York State than any other airline. In May, Delta opened the new Terminal 4 – the centerpiece of a $1.4 billion project to create a state-of-the-art international gateway at JFK. The airline is also investing more than $160 million to expand and update Terminals C and D at LaGuardia. Delta's three metropolitan-area airports carried 23.1 million domestic and international passengers in 2012, up from 20.8 million passengers in 2011. Delta and its nearly 9,000 New York-based employees are part of the fabric of the New York community through many New York institutions, venues and charitable organizations. 

SOURCE Delta Air Lines