December/January Community Events
Updates & Covid-19 Related Information
Wishing All and Safe and
Healthy Holiday Season
Happy New Normal.
It is that time of year when there are more
parties and year-end celebrations at the airports.
It is always s joyous time for the different
organizations to hold gatherings where
we can all meet and greet, share some “refreshments”
and catch up with each other.
This past year all that has come to a
screeching halt. Back in March the world
seemed to have stopped turning as everyone
felt the fear of catching the dreaded Covid-9
virus.
Since then, the world has changed everyone
talks of the New Normal. But what is
that?
Based on the infrequency of live, personal
interactions, we now visit, meet and
AIRPORT V 6 OICE, DECEMBER 2020
plan online. Actually this has its benefi ts,
since many people can now avoid the crazy
commuting and costs to get to work. On the
other hand it puts more pressure on homes
with kids that need to be home-schooled now
and then, and the unemployment many have
encountered as business cuts budgets and
headcount.
But somehow, we manage to get kind of
used to this New Normal. As humans we are
resilient and tend to be optimistic.
So, we say goodbye to 2020, and look forward
to a better 2021 with upticks in the
economy with a vaccine to help us along.
And we all look forward to the Spring when
we can plan again for our community events
bringing us altogether. In the meantime
Happy New Normal. Happy Holidays and
New Year. Be Safe.
Events
December 22: JFK Airport Wide Holiday Webex.
The Port Authority sponsors the fi rst virtual holiday
gathering. Join us on the eve of Dec. 22, 5pm to gather
around the airport “fi replace”, listen to music, hear
wishes from the community and toast to health and a
promising 2021.
Webex instructions will be forthcoming. Watch
your email.
Our Lady of the Skies has confi rmed that the 2020
Peace Light from Bethlehem will be arriving this year
despite the pandemic to bring light and hope to JFK
Airport. Stay tuned for the date. www.jfkchapel.org
November 29: Our Lady of the Skies is premiering
its new Blog and Podcast. "Takeoff "podcast by Our
Lady of the Skies Chapel. Takeoff is a podcast (and vlog)
that focuses on spiritual issues and is dedicated predominantly
to passengers, airport workers, and cabin
crews, but it is also open to all, who would like to explore
their own spirituality.
December: The JFK Rotary will distribute over 300
gift packages for children in residence at the Saratoga
House across from JFK Airport to make their holiday
more memorable. Dozen of airport organizations contributed
to this holiday drive.
December 18: The Port Authority will host a virtual
celebration to commemorate a groundbreaking
milestone–more than $1.5 Billion in contracts awarded
to Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses for LGA
Redevelopment.
December 18: Happy End Hannukah
December 25: Merry Christmas
December 26th: Cradle of Aviation Back to the
Future exhibit opens. See the original DeLoreon and
props from the movie in this Arcade Age Exhibit.
January 11: JFK General Manager’s Meeting,
Wednesday 11am.
All Port Authority and organizational meetings
held at the airports are virtual. Please check your ability
to use Webex or Zoom for these meetings. Apps can
be downloaded to your phone or to your computer. Test
them with a friend. Happy Networking!
March 2020: World Cargo Symposium Istanbul
March 8-11
We are pleased to announce that the next WCS will
take place in Istanbul, 9–11 March 2021. Mark your calendar!
Recognitions
We say Farwell to the Airport Development Council
and ASDO- Bill, Dolores and Helene.
You have been wonderful contributors to the airport
community in so many ways. Thank you. Not goodbye-
but see you later!
Proud to announce the retirement of JFK Tower
Support Manager John Rodriguez Jr. Mr. Rodriguez
has been an FAA employee for approximately 31 years.
He started and served his whole career at JFK Tower.
We will miss his excellence and his wit. Operations Supervisor
Keith Rosequist will be the interim Support
Manager.
Veta Brome, beloved community
activist & long-time
LGA Kiwanis member–former
Distinguished President
& Past Distinguished
Lt. Governor (Kiwanis International),
has passed after a
long illness.
Her friends and community
will miss her.
Health, Testing and Quarantines
Covid Testing Centers at
Airports
JFK -Terminal 1-John Adams Health
Services- PCR, Rapid Departures 917-992-
4645
JFK -Terminal 4 -XpresCheck-arrivals
hall, PCR, Rapid 718-751-4640
JFK-Citimed-Building 78, above The
Ark
Newark-Terminal B, XpresCheck,
Departures Level, PCR, Rapid
LaGuardia: Health & Hospitals Corp-
Ground level Garage B, PCR , Rapid
JFK Airport: Health & Hospitals
Corp-T5/6 by Bus Stop, PCR
International Travel: Alitalia, British
Airways, American Airlines and
some other are using both PCR as ell as
NAAT Rapid testing as proof of Covid
testing reducing quarantine times. Check
with your carrier.
Quarantine
The Governor said that he will increase
the number of National Guard and
Police to enforce the new Covid-19 testing
required upon landing at NY airports.
Under the new mandate, travelers
both domestically and internationally on
arrival will be required to show proof of a
negative Covid test taken 72 hours before
arrival.
To opt out of the 14 days, another negative
test is required 4 days after arrival.
This proof can be a document or electronic
proof. Having this proof will reduce
the quarantine time from 14 days to
3 days if the arriving passenger also takes
a test on the fourth day of arrival to confi
rm a negative result.
This applies to any non-contiguous
state or country. There are exceptions for
essential workers. There are Covid testing
centers now operating at JFK, LGA
and Newark airports.
$50 fi nes are now in force at all Port Authority
transportation facilities for those
not wearing masks. Wearing masks, social
distancing and hand sanitizing are
key ways to help control the spread of the
virus.
Organizations
Kaamco will begin virtual monthly
meeting beginning in January.
The JFK Chamber of Commerce
will be announcing its speakers for 2021
The JFK Air Cargo Association
holds monthly meetings and has a guest
speaker for each.
The JFK Rotary will be meeting virtually.
Check their website for details
Let’s hope the 2021 Golf outings will
begin again!
Resumption of Services
Port & Stakeholder Messaging
JFK Airport management continues
with its “Resumption of Services
and winning Back our Customers”
remote meetings every two weeks
for the stakeholders at JFK Airport.
This is hosted by the Aviation Department
in response to the Covid19
crisis.
The Port continues to coordinate
with its partners with consistency
through these meeting. Immediate
implementations include deployment
of terminal signage. Regular cleaning
and sanitizing, social distancing,
use of facial coverings, Plexiglas
shielding, and overall precautions
that passengers and workers should
practice when taking a fl ight.
Currently terminal operators
are working with concessions with
a phased-in approach based on distancing,
ready-to-eat food, and looking
for additional food availability.
Port is also working on ne Health
and safety certifi cations to make the
public more confi dant is fl ying.
Veta
Brome
/www.jfkchapel.org
/www.jfkchapel.org