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JFK $355 million runway fix begins
Collaboration was key to success
AIRPORT VOICE, MAY 2019 29
BY JEFF YAPALATER
The $355 million dollar
runway construction at JFK
has begun. After years of preplanning,
spirited debates
over timing and impact on the
airlines and FAA compliance
issues, the shovel hit the dirt
April 1st.
One of four major runways
at JFK Airport, 13L 31R
is completely shut down until
November as crews replace
worn, cracked and the aging
runway.
Aviation Director Huntley
Lawrence, said the construction
was necessary now to
maintain safety and longevity
as well fit into the overall
JFK Airport redevelopment.
He said “ this way this runway
being constructed will last 40
years due to the type of material
being used, so it’s better to
get it all done now.”
Prior to the planned construction
there were many
meetings held at the airport
with airlines, terminal operators,
the FAA and stakeholders.
Many expressed concerns
over the long time closure and
possible negative impact during
the summer months when
severe thunderstorms could
negatively impact flights. Airlines
management expressed
thoughts that the loss of one
major runway could hamper
operations causing passenger
delays with one less runway.
However, through the
efforts of collaboration, the
Port heard the concerns and
was able to tweak the timeframe,
scope and to maintain
daily communications to mitigate
problems working with
the airport stakeholders and
FAA.
Said Rick Cotton, Executive
Director of The Port Authority,
‘“With collaboration
from our airline partners and
the Federal Aviation Administration,
the next eight months
of continuous work on Runway
13L-31R will pay huge dividends
in terms of operational
safety and efficiency over the
coming decades at JFK, as
it represents the final phase
of upgrading the four operational
runways at the airport.”
JFK terminal operators expressed
support for the project.
“The Port Authority has
continued to work extensively
with the airport community
in preparation for the runway
reconstruction, which will directly
impact all terminals
and airlines. All JFK terminal
operators understand the
importance of this critical
runway work.”
Evidence of the commitment
to expedition the project
could be seen as Over 50 work
related vehicles were seen at
the airport on the second day
of construction.
“The Port Authority recognizes
the need for infrastructure
upgrades to improve the
customer’s flight experience
and to better maintain and operate
our facilities and assets,”
said Port Authority Chairman
Kevin O’Toole. “This project
is critical to achieve those
goals, and we are working to
ensure minimal impact while
the reconstruction is under
way.”
Google to begin
flying food
FAA approves commercial package delivery
U.S. Department of Transportation
Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced
that the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) awarded the
first air carrier certification to a
drone delivery company, Wing Aviation.
The certification paved the way
for Wing Aviation to begin commercial
package delivery in Blacksburg,
VA. Wing partnered with the
Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership
and Virginia Tech, as one of the
participants in the Transportation
Department’s Unmanned Aircraft
Systems Integration Pilot Program.
Google’s Alphabet Inc’s Wing Aviation
unit got the OK to start delivering
goods by drone in Virginia later
this year, making the sister unit of
search engine Google the first company
to get U.S. air carrier certification.
This means Wing can begin
a commercial service delivering
goods from local businesses to
homes, which includes flights beyond
visual line of site and over people,
the FAA and Wing said. Wing
Aviation plans to start commercial
package delivery in Blacksburg,
Virginia, later this year.
Wing partnered with the Mid-
Atlantic Aviation Partnership and
Virginia Tech as one of the participants
in the Transportation Department’s
Unmanned Aircraft
Systems Integration Pilot Program.
“This is an important step forward
for the safe testing and integration
of drones into our economy.
Safety continues to be our Number
One priority as this technology continues
to develop and realize its full
potential,” said U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Elaine L. Chao.
Wing has recently begun commercial
air delivery service in the
north of Canberra, Australia, and
is also about to begin its first trial
in Europe, delivering to homes in
Helsinki, Finland.
Large aircraft had to be careful when navigating around on one the four runways being repaved and brought
up to date.
Starting on exactly April 1st. earth moving equipment began ripping up
the old runway as air traffic controllers looked on.
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