Worldwide Flight Services has signed a 15-year lease on a new, 346,000-square-foot cargo terminal at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

According to WFS, the new facility will have a throughput capacity of over 300,000 tonnes a year and is projected to open in 2020. It will offer improved cargo flows, reduced transfer times and shorter truck waiting times, and incorporate the latest security and screening systems and procedures. It will also feature the first dedicated facilities for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical and perishable shipments at JFK.

This US$132 million investment will be the first phase of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Vision Plan to enhance the international reputation of the airport.

“We are transforming JFK into a world class, state-of-the-art airport and – with this new cargo facility – a major economic engine,” said Andrew M. Cuomo, governor of New York. “With this much-needed modernization of JFK’s cargo operations, we will help create jobs and support economic growth across the entire New York metropolitan area for years to come.”

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners has awarded the construction contract of the Aero JFK II facility to Aeroterm. The board has also approved a further US$62.2 million project to upgrade taxiways CA and CB at JFK to accommodate modern freighter aircraft.

“We have been working on this project for some time and it is a proud day for WFS and for JFK to see the commitment Governor Cuomo, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Aeroterm are making to this wonderful airport and this magnificent new cargo facility,” said Michael A. Duffy, chief executive officer of the Americas at WFS. “As a major supporter of the New York cargo community, WFS is delighted to witness the ambition for JFK’s cargo future, which will reinforce its position as one of the world’s leading freight airports and gateways. With our own volumes at JFK growing some 6% in 2017, the Aero JFK II facility will give us the capacity to grow and to fulfil our prime global commitment to safety, security and service quality. It will also enable us to deliver the dedicated pharma and perishables handling facilities customers at JFK are so keen to see.”

The Aero JFK II facility will be built on a 26-acre site following the demolition of two 40-year-old and vacant cargo buildings at the airport. It will also provide ramp space for three widebody aircraft.

JFK airport handles approximately 1.3 million tonnes of cargo annually, of which over 650,000 tonnes are handled by WFS. The company serves almost 70 airlines at its nine facilities at the airport, currently occupying an area of more than 760,000 square feet.