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2 AIRPORT VOICE, APRIL 2020
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AIRPORT VOICE
Mgr. JFK AirTrain Sanchit Banerjee-Jimenez on GM webex
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Jeff Yapalater
516-425-4645
April JFK GM on Webex
1st virtual airport conference
with community
The April JFK GM meeting
was the first ever to be
held on Webex. Due to the
health crisis, GM Charles
Everett conducted a successful
meeting with the participation
of many of the airport
stakeholders. Admittingly
there were some newcomer
glitches but the virtual
meeting was informative
andbrpoujught the community
together. In an opening
statement Everett said,
“ The airport is open. This is
a different place than a just
a month ago. This situation
has pulled us together as a
cohesive community. Thank
you all for your commitment
to the mission. Your partnership
is highly valued.
We will get through this together.”
The Port and operational
stakeholders reported small
and manageable positive
cases of covid-19, a higher
number of self-quarantine,
and some sick call ins. But,
all reported full operations
capacity, safe distancing,
regular disinfecting of facilities
with alternate teams
working to insure ongoing
daily functions in case of viral
transmission to office areas.
There is no date set for
resumption of international
flights to JFK according to
Everett. Nor is there any advancement
of the JFK redevelopment
which in on pause
until a thorough analysis of
the impact of the Corona virus
is made. No additional
terminal consolidation is anticipated.
Deputy GM Teresa Rizzuto
commended everyone
for dedication, and said it is
the time to be surroinded by
the “strongest, finest, most
positive people you know.”
Following are brief recaps
of reports:
FAA. Dave Siewert. Currently
there is about 20%
of typical aircraft volume.
There is an alternate tower
Ops location in case of emergency,
they are working on
aircraft parking if needed
and working through the
contingency on how to rebuild
functionality to insure
we are ready to support resumption
of activities.
CBP. Port Director Russo-
Working closely specially
on the trade side moving
goods through the airport,
especially expediting medical
supplies with the ground
handlers, airlines and brokers.
CBP is monitoring critical
medical supplies that
are being shipped out of the
country and detaining some
that are needed here in the
USA..
They ask airlines to regularly
provide projections on
current and projected flights
so CBP knows how many
personnel are needed to fully
support incremental growth
for flight Ops. The T4 Covid
Command Center is open in
the arrivals to share information
with passengers.
CDC. Commander Hercules
reported that arrival
screening is still taking
place on Schengen countries,
China and Iran and will continue
until there is a different
White House directive.
TSA. FISD Bambury-TSA
shrank its footprint based
on the need at the airport
due to terminal consolidation.
There are a lot of workers
at home available to work
and can be can pulled up as
needed. TTSA is working
with other agencies to manage
the larger number of
homeless at the terminals.
PAPD. Inspector Bellucci-
Port Authority Board March meeting
Takes actions, praises employees
On March 26, the Port Authority
Commissioners held their monthly
meeting. The Board acknowledged that
Covid-19 health crisis has had profound
impact on Port and the public. Executive
Director Rick Cotton spoke about
the impact and above all thanked the
Port and all front line workers for their
“dedication and commitment” during
this period. Both he and Chairman
O’Toole expressed a great deal of empathy
for the workers across the board
and this was a large part of the Port’s
comments during the meeting.
Cotton remarks take-aways:
-Port is following all emergency
work orders and protecting workers
with remote working, safe distancing
and ongoing hygienic actions.
-All Port facilities are operating under
emergency guidelines.
-The first step is to get through the
immediate crisis then the second is to
“prepare to support as rapidly and expansive
recovery as soon as possible
-Construction projects are on-going,
including LaGuardia.
-Port has asked for the Federal government
to provide relief and this is a
key part of decisions that will help Port
work with the airlines, concessionaires,
workers. JFK developers and investors.
-All Port facilities are undergoing
regular hygienic cleanups. Ctton stated
that Port is working closely with CDC
and CBP for international air travelers
screening
-The consolidation of terminals at
JFK is necessary so that the safety
and operational resources are put into
proper place for “common use” efficiency.
-From this week to last week, airline
volume as down 80%.
-The Port seaport that handles
freighters has suffered but he expects
shipments to increase by Mid-April as
Chinese factories get back online.
Both he and Port Chairman said “
we will get through this process and get
to a better day.”