WFS to lease huge new cargo centre at New York JFK airport
09 / 01 / 2018
Cargo handler WFS has revealed that it will lease a 346,000 sq ft cargo terminal at New York JFK airport as it looks to meet projected future growth in air cargo volumes.
The handler has signed a 15-year lease with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the facility, which is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2020 and will have a throughput of 300,000 tonnes per year.
Developer Aeroterm, which has developed a number of airport cargo facilities across the US, has been awarded a contract by the Port Authority Board of Commissioners to build the new $132m Aero JFK II facility.
The facility will be built on a 26-acre site following the demolition of two 40-year-old and vacant cargo buildings at the airport. It will also provide ramp space for three wide-body aircraft
The Port Authority Board has also approved a further $62.2m project to upgrade taxiways at JFK to accommodate today’s modern freighter aircraft as part of a revamp of its cargo facilities.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said: “We are transforming JFK into a world class, state-of-the-art airport and – with this new cargo facility – a major economic engine. With this much-needed modernisation of JFK’s cargo operations, we will help create jobs and support economic growth across the entire New York metropolitan area for years to come.”
WFS’ Americas chief executive Michael Duffy added: “We have been working on this project for some time and it is a proud day for WFS and for JFK to see the commitment Governor Cuomo, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Aeroterm are making to this wonderful airport and this magnificent new cargo facility.
"With our own volumes at JFK growing some 6% in 2017, the Aero JFK II facility will give us the capacity to grow and to fulfil our prime global commitment to safety, security and service quality. It will also enable us to deliver the dedicated pharma and perishables handling facilities customers at JFK are so keen to see.”
WFS is already one of the largest handlers at JFK, handling over 650,000 tonnes of cargo a year for nearly 70 airlines at its nine facilities at the airport, currently spanning a footprint of over 760,000 sq ft.
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