Author: Metropolitan Airport News
Metropolitan Airport News
Produced by a team of aviation professionals and enthusiasts, our mission is to inform and update the more than 68,000 employees who work on the metropolitan New York airport properties, as well as the many others that provide goods and services in the surrounding communities.
Amazon Teamsters and their allies gathered at New York City Hall today to call for passage of the Delivery Protection Act during its introduction for the 2026 City Council session. The groundbreaking legislation, authored by Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, would protect workers and communities by requiring last-mile delivery facilities in New York City to be licensed and directly employ their staff. Amazon utilizes a corrupt third-party model called the Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program, which allows the company to deny liability and control workers without the financial or legal responsibilities of a direct employer. “Amazon has pocketed billions off the backs…
Welcome to the February 2026 issue of Metropolitan Airport News! I hope your colleagues are managing well during the coldest part of winter in the Northeast. Many people at the airports work outdoors, so it’s important to stay warm and take frequent breaks to ensure safe operations. As in most industries, prioritizing safety in airport operations increases efficiency. Please encourage your teams to work safely during these challenging conditions. In this issue, we are excited to share an event hosted by the Airport Community Foundation (ACF), of which I am a founding member. We have been actively raising funds for…
Aigner Chocolates is one of NYC’s oldest chocolate shops, offering handcrafted confections in Forest Hills, Queens, since 1930. Originally established as Krause’s Candy Kitchen, it has grown into a beloved neighborhood institution. The Aigner family took over in the early 1960s and ran the shop for three generations, preserving its legacy of quality sweets. Aigner Chocolates continues to grow, with its products now available at T6. What is Aigner Chocolates’ connection to Queens? Aigner Chocolates has been proudly rooted in Forest Hills, Queens since 1930, making us part of the borough’s history for nearly a century. Our chocolates are handcrafted…
Volvo Trucks North America announced that three zero-tailpipe-emission Volvo VNR Electric trucks will be delivered in 2026 to City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization, as part of the Bronx is Breathing project. Supported by a $10 million award from the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program, the initiative is designed to reduce noise and emissions for South Bronx neighborhoods bordering one of the nation’s busiest freight corridors. “City Harvest rescues and delivers millions of pounds of food to New Yorkers every year. We are proud that these new electric trucks will support that crucial mission with cleaner,…
The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has released the results of a new member survey showing that 83% of respondents experienced reduced shipping volumes from clients as a direct result of United States import tariffs. More than half of respondents said tariffs required changes to their clients’ supply chains and shipping routes, while nearly half reported increased operational costs and administrative workload. Members also cited customs delays, airport congestion, reduced flight schedules, and inconsistent security and documentation processes as compounding the impact of tariffs on day-to-day operations. “Last year was defined by instability, with shifting trade policy, new tariffs, and changing security and compliance…
JetBlue and United Airlines have announced the roll out of the next major customer benefit from their Blue Sky collaboration: beginning this week, travelers can start to purchase eligible itineraries operated by either airline directly on JetBlue.com, United.com and each airline’s mobile app. For the first time, customers will be able to book flights on either airline using cash, points, or miles, giving travelers more freedom to shop and pay the way they prefer while accessing the strengths of either network. When searching for flights on either airline’s website or mobile app, customers will start to see more options from…
JFKIAT has partnered with Hospitality Quotient, a hospitality advisory from the team at Union Square Hospitality Group, to launch a comprehensive hospitality training program for the thousands of employees who power the largest and busiest air terminal at JFK Airport. This partnership is in support of JFKIAT’s T4 North Star program, the strategic vision for T4 as the terminal undergoes a $1.5B transformation. The many components of this initiative will evolve every aspect of T4 to stand as a truly world-class air terminal with an enhanced hospitality culture, achieving the Port Authority’s larger vision for JFK Airport. JFKIAT’s partnership with…
PrimeFlight, a leading provider of out-sourced, flight critical aviation services to airlines and airports, announced the acquisition of GAT Airline Ground Support (GAT). GAT provides mission-critical ground handling, cargo handling and, under its Sky Café brand, catering services to airline customers across the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, GAT has approximately 6,000 employees and operates at nearly 70 airports across North America. “We are incredibly excited to welcome the GAT team to PrimeFlight and hope this transaction signals our longstanding commitment to providing our airline partners with world class aviation services,” explained Charlotte Cheatham, COO and EVP for PrimeFlight. “This acquisition is a significant milestone in our strategic growth plan. GAT greatly expands our ground handling footprint and further enhances our relationship with our airline partners through the addition of highly complementary capabilities, stations, and relationships.…
Leslie A. Morris, a retired airline pilot, passed away unexpectedly at home on January 26, 2026. He was born on February 7, 1937, in Harlem Hospital, New York City, NY. He is survived by his Son, Michael, and daughter-in-law Sharese, four grandsons, three great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, whom he married in July 1958. They spent almost 60 years together. He entered the service as a USAF/NY Air National Guard Aviation Cadet in 1957 and graduated in the top ten of his class as a 2nd Lt., as a single-engine, single-seat jet…
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners today approved the nomination of Kathryn Garcia to serve as the agency’s next executive director.Garcia brings three decades of experience across government, most recently serving in the administration of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul as director of state operations and infrastructure, where she oversaw major initiatives like the launch of New York City’s congestion pricing program, New York’s nuclear power moonshot, the Interstate 81 Viaduct project in Syracuse, N.Y., the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project, the Interborough Express, and the redevelopment of John F. Kennedy International Airport. Previously, Garcia served in…