By Philip Newman
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey said John F. Kennedy International Airport handled 47.7 million passengers in 2007, up 12 percent over 2006. Newark Liberty International Airport reported 36.4 million passengers, up more than 2 percent, but LaGuardia had 25 million passengers, down 3 percent. Stewart International Airport, in upstate Newburgh, N.Y., reported nearly 914,000 passengers, up 195 percent.The Port Authority said passenger traffic at the airports had increased more than 35 percent since 2002, when JFK, Newark and LaGuardia handled a combined 82 million air travelers.Even without those who used Stewart, which the Port Authority took over on Nov. 1, the three largest New York airports handled 5 million more passengers in 2007 than in 2006.Last year, however, the New York area airports came out at the bottom of a list of the worst of the nation's 35 busiest airports in flight delays.”Congestion and delays undermine our ability to serve passengers and passenger demand at our airports is only going to continue to increase.” said Anthony Coscia, the Port Authority chairman. “We are doing our part in the short term with programs, such as JFK's runway access improvements, and in the long run making more than $6 billion in airport investments.”To that end, the Port Authority approved a wide array of new taxiway and runway access projects to increase efficiencies and cut down on delays, particularly at JFK.The Port Authority also spent millions of dollars at JFK to make possible a landing for the Airbus 380, a double-decked jet with a capacity of 555 passengers in economy, business and first class seating or 852 passengers in an all-economy configuration. The A380 also has private cabins.The arrival of a Singapore Airlines A380 at JFK is scheduled for this year, although no date has been set.Reach conributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 136
