The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, investment company Realterm and handler Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) officially opened the first new cargo facility at New York JFK airport in 25 years on 23 April.
The $270 million consolidated cargo handling center will consolidate operations from four separate cargo zones into a single modernized location. It is expected to improve service for high-value cargo such as pharmaceuticals, electronics and perishables.
Operated by WFS, JFK’s primary cargo handler, the 350,000-square-foot facility spans 26 acres and replaces two older facilities. It is the first step in the Port Authority’s broader redevelopment plans for the airport’s north cargo area to accommodate recent and future long-term cargo growth.
Consolidation of cargo facilities in the north area aims to reduce congestion, improve logistics flow, and free up land for future development needs at the airport.
JFK is the busiest US entry point for low-value international e-commerce packages, handling about one-quarter of all such incoming shipments, as well as a key high value international cargo hub. In 2024, it handled 1.67 million tons of cargo, a 5% increase from 2023 and 25% more than in 2019, making it the eighth-busiest cargo airport in the US and 21st globally.
Innovations at include an advanced truck dock management system to optimize the flow of goods in and out of the facility, with real-time scheduling, automated check-ins, and digital communication between drivers and dock operators. The system automatically allocates the most efficient doors based on the size, type, and contents of each delivery. It also ensures that trucks arrive only when a dock is available, greatly reducing wait times and on-site congestion.
The new consolidated cargo handling center includes 3,000 square feet of cooler space for goods requiring 2 to 8°C and 15 to 25°C environments, making it JFK’s first dedicated on-airport facility for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals and perishables.
It also features electric forklifts, electric vehicle chargers, and an automated unit load device system to optimize power usage.
The project also exceeded its goals for participation by minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs), with more than 42% of construction contracts awarded to such firms. The new facility is expected to generate 100 permanent new jobs, with a priority on hiring from the airport’s surrounding community through ongoing and targeted local hiring events and outreach in partnership with the Council for Airport Opportunity and other workforce development organizations.
Kevin O’Toole, chairman of the Port Authority (which manages the city’s main airports as well as seaports) said: “We are in the midst of historic overhauls across all of our airports, and this new cargo center is yet more proof of the transformation that is underway. This new consolidated cargo center reduces truck congestion, lowers emissions and creates good-paying jobs, all while supporting the industries that power the region and the nation.”
“By replacing outdated facilities with a modern cargo center, we’re preparing for the future and improving efficiency and sustainability at JFK,” added Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton. “JFK plays a central role in global commerce, and this modern consolidated cargo center strengthens its position as a key gateway for high-value goods and international trade.”
“We are thrilled to see this project come to life as a showpiece for cargo operations not just at JFK, but for airports worldwide,” said David Rose, managing director of Realterm. “This modern and one-of-a-kind facility exemplifies what can be achieved through strong public-private partnerships and demonstrates Realterm’s commitment to creating infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of the air cargo industry while supporting local economic development.”
