/ / / / / /

Is New York City Getting Another Airport Nearby JFK?

April 6, 2011 at 11:09 AM | by | Comment (1)

Everyone knows that the New York City area could use another airport—or at least a major revamp of the existing facilities—but the problem is that there’s just no darned space to construct what's required. Well apparently there’s some underutilized property in Brooklyn that could be the area’s third airport—or fourth if you’re cool counting Newark. Floyd Bennett Field was once home to famous aviators like Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes, and now some want it to reopen as a hub for the modern traveler.

The old airfield sits on Jamaica Bay with JFK Airport not too far off in the distance, so it’s in a pretty decent location to help out all those airplane traffic jams. With the new advances in air traffic control technology, the thinking is that this spot could be used without interfering with all the comings and goings at JFK. The only issue is that the airport is hardly ready to go, as runways would need to be lengthened, terminals would need to be built, and Uncle Sam would need to hand it over to someone like the Port Authority.

Right now the place is part of the National Park Service, and is protected as part of the larger Gateway National Recreation Area. That means birds and critters are welcome to do their thing here without the fear of airplanes or other things screwing up their habitat and hangout spots. So if things were to move forward in the future there’s probably going to be some kind of battle to protect some kind of bug or bird that has chosen this area as the only place to raise its young.

Unfortunately, the former naval base will likely remain as is, since the consensus says this is just too large of an undertaking. Nonetheless, prime real estate in New York—especially a spot where airplanes could come and go—is at a premium. Only time will tell if we’ll be checking out airport dining locations at the place’s grand opening in 2020 or beyond.

Related Stories:
· New York Needs Runways, But ‘Ghost Airport’ Stays Quiet [AP, via KC Star]
· A Hotel for JFK's Iconic TWA Terminal Would Be Great, but Likely Won't Happen [Jaunted]
· Big Changes May Be on the Way for NYC-Area Airports [Jaunted]

[Photos: Wikimedia and uberzombie]

Comment (1)

Post a Comment

Return to » Is New York City Getting Another Airport Nearby JFK?


A great location for helicopter operations

I used to fly out of Floyd Bennett in the 1990s. You can very easily drop in there VFR under the Class B airspace with very minimal contact with Kennedy. NYC could build an intermodal transportation hub at the end of Flatbush Ave and really connect a lot of folks. That would take vision and the ability to execute on a plan.
expeditionaire on April 6, 2011 at 9:30 PM #Permalink

Return to » Is New York City Getting Another Airport Nearby JFK?

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices