1st JFK GM of 2022 held via Zoom
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Joshua Schneps
SCHNEPS MEDIA
AIRPORT VOICE
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Airport Voice
MEMBER:
Reports on Omicron, increasing flights & 2021 in review
The first 2022 JFK General
Managers and Stakeholders
meeting was held on January
12 via Zoom. There were three
takeaways: first the surge of
Omicron cases that hit the entire
airport community the last
month. The second is the increasing
number of flights and
passengers continues to grow.
The third is a robust redevelopment
begins. According to agencies
reporting on the call despite
the larger number of workers
out for covid illness or symptoms,
services are at a normal
level and workers are returning
to their jobs.
Agency and Partner
Reports
The FAA ATC reported that
there are about 1100 flights a
day, which is good.
The ATC is cleaned daily and
job training has been resumed.
CBP reported that they are
continued to be impacted by covid
but seems to have plateaued
with no seriously ill, quick recovery
and no complications.
In trade matters, in Q1, CBP
processed 2 million arriving international
passengers.
Daily flight counts are up
74% with a larger number of
flights compared to 2021. Cargo
is still strong with duty collection
up 54% from last year. The
overall value is $32 billion for Q1
with most imports from China
and UK.
Many home test covid kits
have arrived over the past month
with 20 shipments out of an expected
60 for deliveries to NYS
and NYC.
In addition, The White House
has ordered 500 million kits to
begin arriving next week at JFK,
EWR Atlanta, Chicago. LA and
Dallas. CBP will continue coordination
with shipments and
handlers.
CDC reported a lot of staff
out during holidays but they
are returning. Updates to travel
guidance changes frequently.
Guidance is to not travel if sick
or tested positive and wait a full
10 days of beginning of symptoms.
CDC recommends testing
every 3-5 days and to wear
a well fitting mask during travel.
Details on the guidance can be
found here. https://www.cdc.
gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/
index.htm
TSA reported it is continuing
to hire every two weeks but
not getting enough qualified
candidates. This is not affecting
operations because each
new hires match the rate of attrition.
PAPD reported that the department
was hit pretty hard
with covid cases but the PAPD
was able to have full calls during
each tour. Hustlers and homeless
patrols continue.
Kaamco reported the good
news of lower airport fees and
the increasing activity for all
airlines. The organization is
looking forward to in real life
meetings, participating in the
renewed redevelopment activities,
and updating its directory
of airlines and partners. A cargo
update was given during the
Kaamco meeting, and the next
ground ops and interline meeting
is January 26. Interline back
in place with increased volume.
The Kaamco Cargo Committee
meeting is Thu Jan 27, 2022
9am – 10am.
JFK Maintenance gave a repeat
briefing for fire alarms at
JFK.
It reminded everyone that
Scarsdale Security Systems
is the current alarm company
working with the FDNY. If there
is a test alarm, it is necessary to
call Scarsdale Security at 914-
722-2222 and report it, not the
FDNY. Failure to do so will trigger
a FDNY emergency call and
unnecessarily bring engines to
that building. If the FDNY arrives
at a building it is important to
have maintenance meet them at
the alarm panel
The Security department reported
they too had a number
of absences due to Omicron.
It was also noted that InterCon
Security will replace Allied as
the security vendor for airside
security. Deputy GM Teresa
Rizzuto reported that the bus
stops at T5 will be relocated to
T8 beginning on March 27 due
to redevelopment activities at
T6. She also announced that the
first JFK stakeholder redevelopment
meet would be held on
January 13.
Rizzuto listed
highlights of 2021
that took place even
in the face of covid:
-The successful return of
UNGA diplomatic operations
serving 26 countries and dozens
of military aircraft.
-The award winning GBAC
and ACI airport accreditations
that validated the safety and
health programs at the airport.
-The rapid creation of an Allies
Refuge arrivals center in
Building 87 for potential use as
the beginning of resettlement of
Afghanistan refugees.
-AirTrain repairs and maintenance
and enhancements.
-Improvement of the Taxi
Dispatch System with swapping
thousands and RFID tags, in all
taxis and the upcoming use of
mobile tablets app that will better
manage drivers and flow of
cabs to the terminals.
-T4 pilot program for specific
on demand cars zones for passengers
that reduces congestion,
better way finding and better
customer service.
-The PAPD continues its efforts
to reduce unauthorized
transportation hustlers by having
passengers escorted out of
the terminal to the appropriate
authorized mode of transportation.
-Celebrated the new electrification
facilities for the airport
and sub-station transformers as
back up in emergencies.
-The construction of the newest
cargo building by Aeroterm
and prime tenant WFS.
-Efficiencies in TAAs and issuance
of a record number of
permits for renovations.
-Tesla electric supercharge
station at the Airport Plaza.
Spiritual Pastor Dabee announced
that the Bishop Wright
Awards Luncheon program is
on April 6th . He said it would
be decided later if this annual
event can again be celebrated
in person or virtual as last year.
The GM office thanked he, Father
Chris and Rabbi Korinblit
for their annual airport blessing
last week.
In response to one callin
question call in concerned
the towing of cars from terminals,
the Port’s position is that
PAPD must issue a summons
first unless the TSA requires it
or towed to clear the area for
emergency uses. Additional
feedback as been brought to
Port legal for a more detailed
answer.
Rizzuto ended with meeting
with a reference to the JFK GM
office created and shared with
the community for the holidays
which will be shared again online.
The next GM is Wednesday
February 9th 45 mintes after the
Kaamco meeting which begins
at 10:15, ending at 11:00am.
The sun sets on 2021 and a New Year and New JFK begins for 2022
/www.cdc
/www.cdc