LaGuardia Gateway Partners Announces Opening of Second Pedestrian Skybridge at New LaGuardia Terminal B
LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the private entity managing and redeveloping LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, announced the opening of the second pedestrian skybridge, making LaGuardia the first airport in the world with dual skybridges. The skybridge was scheduled to open to passengers on Jan. 28.
Spanning 482 feet, the western skybridge is the final piece of the interior of the Terminal B facility to debut and is the last major construction milestone in the project. The Terminal B redevelopment is now over 90% complete and will reach substantial completion later this year, on time and on budget.
Connecting the western concourse to the Arrivals & Departures Hall, the western skybridge offers travelers views of the Manhattan skyline. Passengers flying from Terminal B’s western concourse now have a more direct and seamless journey to their gates. Later this year – after demolition of the remaining piece of the original terminal building – aircraft will taxi underneath the skybridge. In addition, a restaurant complete with an outdoor terrace and Manhattan views is planned for the future. The eastern skybridge, which opened in June 2020, connects the Arrivals & Departures Hall directly to the eastern concourse gates.
The design of the dual skybridges has been critical to the redevelopment. The skybridges allowed LGP to keep the original terminal operational during construction as they were built overtop the old facility. When the taxiway underneath the western skybridge opens later this year, a much needed 2 extra miles of taxiway space will be added to the busy airport.
Kathy Hochul, governor of New York, said, “The transformation of this airport is a symbol of hope for New Yorkers so they can rest assured that we are moving forward after the hardship of the pandemic to keep projects moving and jobs coming. Major projects like this involve the entire community and they should be proud of the connections this terminal will bring about in so many ways. With the completion of the skybridge, too, New Yorkers and visitors alike can enjoy world-class service at LaGuardia Airport.”
Rick Cotton, executive director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said, “Today’s announcement marks the completion of new passenger facilities at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, which was recently named Best New Airport in the World by UNESCO’S prestigious 2021 Prix Versailles. From a passenger point of view, the old LaGuardia is no more. We have gone from worst to best, something no one thought was possible when this project began.
Terminal B creates a top-of-the-line passenger experience and does so in the context of world-class architecture, inspiring public art and notable, iconic, locally inspired concessions.”
Magnus Eriksson, executive vice president of Skanska Asset Management and Chairman of the Board of Directors of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, said, "We’re thrilled to deliver a new skybridge that will benefit LaGuardia Terminal B passengers and ease taxiway traffic. The redevelopment of LaGuardia into a world-class airport has been a tremendous, collaborative undertaking, and I want to thank everyone who worked to deliver this latest milestone.”
George Casey, chair and CEO, Vantage Airport Group, said: “Opening the last public-facing portion of the new Terminal B is a milestone the Vantage team is particularly proud of, as the dual skybridge design illustrates the creative planning, design, and phasing that allowed Terminal B to remain fully operational throughout the entire redevelopment project. As an equity investor, lead developer responsible for construction oversight, and manager of the new Terminal B, it's been an honor to partner with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to deliver world-class facilities befitting New York and to bring to life one of the most innovative and complex airport redevelopment projects in the world.”
Jane Garvey, global chairman, Meridiam and member of the Board of Directors, LaGuardia Gateway Partners, said, “The new skybridge takes us one step closer to the complete Terminal B transformation. Its design adds much needed additional taxiway space to help ease congestion. The new LaGuardia is quickly becoming an iconic example of the importance of modernization and investment in aviation in the U.S. and beyond.”
Frank Scremin, CEO, LaGuardia Gateway Partners, said, “With the completion of this final major construction milestone, passengers traveling out of the western concourse now have a direct, seamless journey from the curb to their gate. The new Terminal B is a shining example of a 21st Century airport facility focused on passenger experience and what can be accomplished when we all work together. We’re grateful for the leadership of the governor’s office and the port authority, and our partners Vantage Airport Group, Skanska, and Meridiam for their collaboration in making this possible.”
Alison Taylor, chief customer officer for American Airlines, said, “Completion of the skybridge marks the final step in a multi-year effort to transform the customer experience and our home at LaGuardia Airport — delivering a truly intuitive, seamless journey from curb to gate. The world-class facilities developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and LaGuardia Gateway Partners elevate and enhance the care provided to every customer through world-class amenities, expanded security checkpoints and welcoming gate areas, as well as an all-new and larger Admirals Club.”
The new 1.3 million-square-foot Terminal B is part of the comprehensive redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport. With a construction value of $4 billion, The Terminal B project is one of the largest public-private partnerships in American history and, according to the LGP news release, the largest in U.S. aviation.
