“IT IS DEVASTATING IF WE DO NOT GET A DEAL”
NYCAR Meeting JFK
Committee
BY JEFF YAPALATER
The New York Community Aviation
Roundtable (NYCAR) JFK
Committee meting was held virtually
and webcast on September 14.
Hersh Parekh, Port Director,
Government & Community Relations,
Aviation Redevelopment,
told the webcast attendees that the
whole JFK Redevelopment plan
has been greatly impacted by the
pandemic and the redevelopment
would likely change shape. He said
the intent was to conclude agreement
with the two major developers
for Terminal One and Terminal
6, sometime in the first and second
quarter of 2019 with construction to
have begun this summer.
But with the pandemic, the
project is under review because
of the uncertainty of the viability
of the original project along with
the financial position of the Port
Authority which is seeking $3 billion.
Said Parekh, “ We are working
closely with the two developers,
the Millennium Partners and
New Terminal One (NTO) groups,
to keep the deals alive.”
Asked how the community
benefits part of the redevelopment
has been impacted, Parekh
AIRPORT V 14 OICE, SEPTEMBER 2020
said that project funding was the
obstacle. The community development
initiatives which have been
tied directly to the investment
and greatly impacted as well
these initiatives are basically
on pause as well. Some of these
community initiatives included a
STEM program at CUNY, expansion
of a community office in Far
Rockaway, the airport concessions
opportunity program and
the 2nd chance employment program.
Regarding “building aback
better” aspects of the redevelopment.
Parekh stated that any major
changes are on pause pending additional
negotiations with developers
and federal finding. Issues over public
health and safety at the terminals
and with the resident of the area, under
the flight paths, were discussed.
He also acknowledged the call by
one member for these public health
matters including people that live
near the airport and impacted by
noise and pollution not to be put to
the end of the line.
Much of the public has not real
understanding of how hard the aviation
industry has been hit by the
pandemic.
Furry friends arrive
at JFK Airport
JFK Airport is a destination for
foreign countries shipping small animals
for adoption or sale.
After the long flight many animals
are happy to see a human face
and happy to be on their way to a
new home.
Aeroflot has a special weekly
flight in which cargo manager Anna
Sanosyan oversees the arrival of
the assortment of animals, checking
their well being and coordinating
their forwarding to a WFS cargo
facility or the ARK via ground handlers
dnata.
The General Manager’s office at
JFK has issued handling guidelines
to all that handle animals to insure
their safety during their generally
brief stay while awaiting claim by
their owners.
“ How do we survive? JFK is suffering,
businesses are having a rough
time. Flights are reduced to 10-15 of
capacity. How can businesses be sustained
and stay healthy” he rhetorically
asked.
Without aid, Meeks doesn’t see
how airlines are sustainable and to
pay workers. He said he is looking at
what else Congress can do that will
help them to keep individuals employed.
Meeks firmly stated that the initial
money from the original Cares
Act has run out.
”JFK is the economic engine of
my district. It is a key part of our local
economy, It is devastating if we are
not getting a deal.” He was referring
to the failure of Congress to act upon
another CARES Act or adequately respond
to the House’s Hero’s Act seeking
$3 trillion dollars for national aid
for small and large businesses, the
aviation industry, the NYNJ Port Authority
and the everyday worker who
he says are struggling to meet financial
obligation. He said the House
passed a $3 trillion bill and just last
week the Senate proposed a $500 billion
bill rebuttle. “ Our states alone
need $500 billion according to Governors
nationwide. He asked how this
“skinny bill” would help employees
suffering, not being able to pay rent,
mortgages health costs or food? To a
make matters more complicated, the
Congress is now working to vote for a
continuing resolution so the government
does not shut down before recess
on October 2,.” We are in a very
serious business” he said.
Meeks covered other topics including
the need for funding for Covid testing,
the continued need for safety protocols
to avoid spreading the illness,
NY should get its fair share of federal
funding since we give disproportionate
taxes and get less in return, that
the supply chain needs to be fortified
by our multinational approach and
work with other countries to solve
world issues as we did with the Ebola
crisis, and that while we will see
a change in the way we do business
remotely, he said we will adapt to
change, that Covid will not destroy
our way of life because we need to interact
with each other through travel
or the workplace, the need to make
voting by mail safe and open, and the
need to participate in the census to
get a fair share of federal dollars that
will help NY state.
When asked about minority opportunities
at the airport he stated that
there is a 30% participation rate by
MWBE and MBE through the Port
Authority and similar NYS for redevelopment
and construction. If a company
feels they need help they should
call his office at 718-725-6000.
"Where I am gong right or wrong.”
Meeks closed with saying “This is
still the greatest nation in the world.”
Continued from page 1
Aeroflot Cargo Mgr. Anna Sanosyan