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Jeff Yapalater
516-425-4645
May’s virtual JFK GM
Airport way forward outlined
BY JEFF YAPALATER
The May 2020 General
Managers JFK Stakeholder
meeting took place virtually.
General Manager Charles
Everett opened up welcoming
everyone stating that we
are two months into this pandemic
and that Port is working
on a pathway forward and
an “opportunity to re-imaging
the customer experience.”
To this end, Deputy GM
Teresa Rizzuto revealed that
there is a Resumption of Services
Task force in place as
the focus on the way forward.
This taskforce will be built on
stakeholder collaboration and
“shaped collectively” to implement
recovery for the community
and winning back customer
confidence. “ Our top
priority is our airport employees
and stakeholders is important
to us.”.
Rizzuto shared the 4 Resumption
of Service Guiding
Principles:
Minimize Access: Restriction
public access to AirTrain
stations, rental car facilities,
public spaces cargo facilities
and other patron service areas.
Minimize Dwell: Speed the
traveler within air terminals
by minimizing dwell at passenger
processing points and
minimizing distractions along
the way and providing clear directions
and wayfinding.
Minimize Contact: Replace
customer facing services with
electronic servicing via customer’s
mobile devices to
minimize face to face interactions
and minimize touch
points within the terminal.
Maximize Hygiene: Enhanced
cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting
regimens are the new
normal for both employees
and customers.
Rizzuto also presented the
overarching JFK Communications
Plan Framework
which includes:
Safety Leadership- Port is
launching new standards designed
to respond to our new
environment and enhance
safety for all.
Trust-Port will continue to
evolve our practices to ensure
we are responding to the latest
CDC/WHO guidelines.
Collaboration-We must collectively
care for each other
and count on all of us to keep
each other safe. using new behavior
and technology to stop
the spread of the virus.
Leadership-JFK is part of
the lifeblood of our region and
will lead the way for the rebirth
of air travel for our region
and country.
Rizzuto opened up participation
in the Resumption of
Service subcommittees, inviting
all interested to get involved
in and advisory capacity.
Many of the Port agency
leaders shared updates on
their operations. Of important
note are the steps to protect
workers and minimize the
spread of the virus. Many are
using A& B teams to alternate
days worked on site. This was
amplified by safety note by
Guillio Minguillo and other
that shared best practices of
social distancing, wearing
masks washing hands and hygiene.
JFK CDC Commander
Matthew Palo addressed this
by adding that the CDC is employing
virus detection for all
international arriving passengers
24/7. They are looking
at more timely options for
collecting data to prevent the
infection. The CDC is advising
any arriving passengers
to stay self isolated for 14 days.
FAA Dave Siewert reported
that air traffic is very low
from a pre-virus 1300 flights a
day to 150-200 a day.
CBP Port Director Frank
Russo was sad to report that
it was a tough week with two
officers dying on duty. CBP
He is working on a couple of
matters; one with T4 on Biometrics
and the other installing
plexiglass to prevent virus
spreading. He said that
there was a 30% increase in
air cargo shipments and only
300 passengers a day coming
rough Customs arrivals.
Russo sand that CBP is working
with partners to allocate
the PPE to most needed destinations.
Of particular concern
over PPE is the hoarding,
price and counterfeit
products and not meeting
manufacturer standards. Another
concern and is the uptick
in amount of mail from
the Netherlands with narcotics
that normally go through
Chicago. He was happy to report
seizures of shipments by
the agency canines.
TSA FSD John Bambury
FSD shared sadness over passing
of an officer in line of duty.
TSA security departure
screening is now down to
about 2-3,000 a day. TSA
is keeping security check
points open as needed. He
said that British Airways
is reopening and TSA will
keep checkpoints open as
needed. Compliance officer
Jim Fitzgerald said that he is
working will all companies
to be sure all badges are returned
as a result of furlough
or layoffs.
Jim Heitman reported on
JFK redevelopment. Essentially
the major plans are under
review but many things
are moving forward at T1 and
T5 in terms engineering and
survey work to advance design.
There are site activities
with geo tech and surveys of
utilities .T6 is looking forward
to site activities this summer
with lease signing for end of
this year.
T8- There is good progress
in the main building construction
of headhouse. They
are preparing for next phase
of construction with steel
erection in the summer.
Port is doing early actions
surveys, test piles, and analysis
on finances on redevelopment
plans.
He said it is a good tie to do
work to take advantage of low
traffic and work on things to
reduce risk when the overall
program begins.
Kaamco President Roger
Scott Roger Scott-Kaamco said
that of carriers are sharing
best practices and that his conversations
with international
airlines are being shared with
Port to help develop a “new version
of normal” here at JFK.
He said everyone is awaiting
news on passenger entry restrictions
so not much flight
scheduling can be done until
new directives are in place.
Kaamco is continuing negotiations
with the Interline contractor
to try to work out a mutual
beneficial contract. Scott
called upon the Port to work
with the airlines to control
costs, and review future fees.
Referring to fees, he mentioned
the hardship on workers having
to pay for the AirTrain
on the way to work. Lastly he
mentioned it was important for
everyone to be aware of their
state of mental health during
thee unusual times of isolation
and uncertainty.
TFAC Executive Director
Frank DiMola asked Port if
there was a way for free parking
at the airport for employees.
Everett replied that this
was a downtown Port matter
that he would refer to them.
Ending the meeting were
comments by Teresa Rizzuto
which gave kudos to the cargo
community, indicating that
the AOC is the central point of
contact during this time and
invited stakeholders to the
DACC to keep informed about
the activities at the airport.