In addition to offering new dining and shopping opportunities, the holistic refresh of JFK’s Terminal 8 is set to bring greater exposure to MBEs and economic opportunity to the Queens area.
JFK Terminal 8: More than Shopping and Dining
An official statement by American – which is working in partnership by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports – was released on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The centerpiece of the $125 million redevelopment will be the terminal’s Great Hall, which will feature 60 new retail and shopping outlets. It’s worth noting that this redevelopment – while it will obviously serve to highlight New York’s renowned food and drink scene – is intended to showcase local and especially minority business enterprises (MBE). While the commercial redevelopment will lift the customer experience at Terminal 8, it is hoped that the approximately 300 new jobs created by the refresh will also economically benefit the greater NYC community and, specifically, the borough of Queens.
In addition to a total overhaul of the terminal’s available dining, shopping and retail concessions, the redevelopment will also have performance space and digital experiences for AA customers. The redevelopment of the terminal is a collaborative effort and, as such the airline has chosen JFK T8 Innovation Partners, a joint venture headed by URW. The T8 team will be joined by the minority-owned Phoenix Infrastructure Group along with Holt Construction.
The View from the Partners
Commenting on the redevelopment, Amanda Zhang, American’s Vice President of Airport Affairs and Facilities, said, “We look forward to working with our project partners, the Port Authority and the local community to deliver a transformative dining and shopping experience that represents the dynamic New York region. We’re committed to ensuring a world-class experience at Terminal 8 and this commercial redevelopment will further elevate the travel journey for our customers and our oneworld partners.”
“This is another tremendous milestone in our extensive JFK Redevelopment Program. We are excited for the continued transformation to bring customers a world-class travel experience, boost employment opportunities for our local communities, and provide a pathway for local and minority businesses to propel their business as a design, construction or concession partner,” added Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton.
Offering his comments, URW Airports CEO Dany Nasr said, “It is an honor to partner with American Airlines and the Port Authority to help transform JFK and bring major benefits to New Yorkers and travelers from around the world,” while Phoenix Infrastructure Group CEO Jeremy Ebie commented, “The redevelopment of Terminal 8 will raise the bar in both delivering a next-generation customer experience and in creating a new and truly impactful model for engaging with local communities in achieving the ultimate goal of building opportunity and sustaining long-term benefits for its citizens.”
Share your thoughts about the JFK Terminal 8 revitalization on the FlyerTalk Forums.
Feature image courtesy: American Airlines
Source: frugal travel guy