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Prepare for Delays at JFK as a Major Runway Goes Under Repair

They told us it would happen a year ago and we put it to the back of our mind, but now's the time to start panicking: JFK's main runway will close for 3 months from March 1 to June. Don't worry; all air traffic won't come to a grinding halt while the 14,572-foot long runway 13R-31L undergoes its $204 million makeover, but it will cause more delays and longer waits on the tarmac than usual since JFK will be operating on its other three runways.

According to USA Today, this runway handled 143,000 takeoffs and landings in 2008, so with the increase in flights (specifically looking at you, Jetblue), you can imagine how that number has grown, a significant amount of which must now be shifted onto other runways.

So let this be a warning to anyone flying into or out of JFK over the next few months: make sure your iPod battery is charged, that you've got a couple magazines to keep you busy and don't be surprised if your plane is number 25 in the cue to takeoff. Delays are very much expected.

Related Stories:
· New York JFK Runways to Close for 4 Months [Today in the Sky]
· JFK's longest runway to close in '10 from March to June [NewYorkology]
· Airport News [Jaunted]

[Photo: LiveMap screen showing Cathay Pacific landing at JFK, by Jaunted]