Category Archives: News

AirTrain

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As of 2023, the proposed AirTrain project for LaGuardia Airport has been officially canceled, following significant controversy and opposition. Initially championed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, the project aimed to connect the airport with the Mets-Willets Point subway and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stations. However, it faced criticism for its indirect route, high cost, and environmental impact.

Reasons for Controversy:

  1. Indirect Route: The AirTrain’s proposed route required travelers to head east away from Manhattan to Willets Point before doubling back towards the airport, which many deemed inefficient.
  2. High Costs: The project’s cost estimates ballooned from $450 million to $2.4 billion, raising concerns about financial feasibility.
  3. Environmental and Community Impact: Local community groups and environmental advocates opposed the project due to its potential to take away parkland and impact local property values. Legal challenges were filed against the FAA and Port Authority, citing these concerns.

In March 2023, the Port Authority announced the cancellation of the AirTrain project. Instead, an expert panel recommended expanding bus services, including a new all-electric shuttle bus running from the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard N/W subway station to the airport. The improvements are expected to cost about $500 million, significantly less than the AirTrain, and are projected to be implemented within the next five years.

Modernization – New Terminals

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On January 27, 2023, LaGuardia Airport celebrated the completion of its revamped Terminal B, a key milestone in the airport’s extensive $8 billion modernization project. This new terminal, praised for its innovative design and passenger-friendly amenities, represents a significant upgrade from the old, cramped facilities it replaced. Terminal B has already received accolades, including the prestigious Skytrax five-star rating, the first for a terminal in North America.

Meanwhile, Terminal C, primarily funded by Delta Air Lines, opened on June 4, 2022. This terminal, which replaced the older Terminals C and D, is nearly double their combined size and features state-of-the-art amenities such as hands-free bag drop and Digital ID screening capabilities. Delta’s $4 billion investment in Terminal C was part of the broader effort to modernize LaGuardia, contributing significantly to the airport’s overall redevelopment.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey managed this extensive project, with significant collaboration from private entities like LaGuardia Gateway Partners and Delta Air Lines. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also played a crucial role, ensuring that the new facilities met all necessary regulatory standards. This redevelopment not only improved passenger experience but also incorporated sustainable technologies, enhancing energy efficiency across the airport.

LaGuardia’s Future

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LaGuardia Airport, located on banks of the Flushing Bay near the heart of New York City, would seem to be the ideal airport for fast trips in & out of the area.   Unfortunately, the aging facility is unable to properly handle the 14 million passengers that travel through it each year, and has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s slowest & least-liked airports.

Operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, LaGuardia’s current main terminal building opened in 1964 with a designed capacity of no more than 8 million passengers per year, far less than the current annual passenger load in excess of 14 million.

After years of controversy and political maneuvering,  it appears that the airport will finally get a desperately needed facelift.  Continue reading →

About NY LaGuardia Airport

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Opened in 1939, New York LaGuardia International Airport (airport code LGA) is a commercial airport located about 8 miles from Manhattan on the shore of Flushing Bay in northern Queens borough.  LaGuardia airport is operated by the Port of New York and New Jersey (PONYNJ)

Although much smaller than New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia had a traffic volume of nearly 27 million passengers in 2014, a little more than 50% of JFK airport’s traffic. Ten major airlines offer flights to & from the airport, plus several subsidiaries of those airlines. Continue reading →