The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners announced a collaboration with Long Island-based Fortbrand Services LLC to manage the terminal’s future all-electric ground support fleet through a common use, or pooled, configuration.
JFK will become North America’s first airport with new terminals providing pooled e-GSE, representing a substantial advancement toward achieving the Port Authority’s industry-leading net-zero emissions commitment by 2050.
The future all-electric T6 ground support fleet will eliminate approximately 2,500 metric tons of annual CO2 emissions equivalent to emissions produced by driving a gasoline-powered vehicle 6 million miles.
The emission reduction will result from diesel-powered equipment replacement with electric alternatives and enhanced common-use equipment efficiencies.
Currently, US airlines contract individual ground-handling companies to service aircraft with dedicated equipment sets, often creating duplicate equipment, inefficiencies, airside congestion, and unnecessary emissions.
At the new T6, each of the terminal’s 10 gates will maintain dedicated electric ground support equipment, shared among ground handlers operating at the terminal through common-use arrangements.
JMP and Fortbrand will monitor and track equipment in real time to ensure operational compliance while maximizing safety and efficiency.
Combined on-site and remote charging stations will maintain full equipment charge levels, while innovative telematics software will communicate real-time GPS location, battery life, authorized operators, speed controls, maintenance reporting, and additional data.
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton, stated that the Port Authority’s nationally leading net-zero emissions commitment by 2050 includes transitioning to all commercially available zero emission ground support equipment at regional airports.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole added that the new airline terminals designed to rank among the world’s finest will also lead our agency’s carbon footprint reduction efforts.
At JFK T6, unnecessary ground-handling equipment duplication which generates additional CO2 emissions and inefficient aircraft operations will be eliminated, said JFK Millennium Partners Chief Operating Officer Karen Ali.
Additional T6 sustainability features encompass high-efficiency building systems, installation of over 4,000 solar panels for renewable energy generation, stormwater capture and reuse, and 90 percent waste diversion through recycling of asphalt, concrete, steel, and other materials throughout terminal construction and operation.
These features will support JMP’s goal to achieve LEED and ENVISION Gold certifications for T6 recognized as the gold standard for sustainable infrastructure projects.
The future T6 e-GSE fleet supports the Port Authority’s net-zero roadmap, comprehensive actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions agency-wide by 2050 and improve JFK air quality.
Beyond e-GSE, the roadmap includes solar energy production, building decarbonization, electric vehicle fleets, and sustainable construction practices.
In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform JFK into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve.
The vision plan provides strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify, and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The $9.5 billion new Terminal One broke ground in September 2022.
A new US$4.2 billion Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on the airport’s north side, broke ground in February 2023.
The US$1.5 billion Terminal 4 expansion, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal is substantially complete. Additionally, the US$400 million Terminal 8 expansion, led by American Airlines, which operates the terminal, was completed in November 2022.
All privately financed terminal projects combined with the Port Authority’s roadway, parking, and infrastructure projects represent a US$19 billion JFK transformation and an extraordinary series of public-private partnerships.
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