Author: Metropolitan Airport News

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped 26 handguns at New York City area airport checkpoints in 2021, an increase from the 17 guns caught in 2020. Each of the firearms was discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints. Nationwide, TSA officers detected 5,972 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2021. It was a significant increase from the 3,257 detected last year and a spike from the 4,432 detected in 2019 (pre-pandemic). The rate of guns caught at checkpoints nationwide came to 10.2 firearms per million passengers in 2021. Of the guns caught in 2021, approximately 86 percent were…

Dave was born in Burma in 1935, where he was one of 6 children and his family escaped from Burma during World War II, relocating to Northern India. Having lost his father at a young age, he became the patriarch of his family and took responsibility for the care of his siblings. In 1958, Vyas immigrated to England where he began his storied career in the airline industry with British Airways. In 1962, he came to New York City, where he worked full time for TWA. There, the airline took note of his work ethic and provided him a scholarship…

Six young Holstein Breeding Bulls made their way through The ARK at JFK to a country in S.W. Asia via Qatar Airways last week. The bulls traveled by road from their export isolation facility outside of the Chicago-ORD airport and were transported to The ARK to prepare for their international flight. Before their road trip, the USDA in Des Plaines, IL identified the animals and supplied the final documentation so that they would be authorized to begin their journey. After comfort stops along the way to refill food and water, the bulls arrived at The ARK and preparations were underway.…

The LATAM Airlines Group achieved first place worldwide in the “Mega Airlines” category of the 2021 punctuality ranking from the prestigious international consulting firm OAG. This recognition is based on the accumulated monthly statistics provided by OAG, where it classifies the largest airlines in the world according to their punctuality indicators based on compliance with the OTP (on-time-performance) indicator. The list brings together the twenty largest airlines in the world (by number of scheduled flights) categorized as “Mega Airlines,” and ranks a final top 10. “In a very difficult scenario with an increase in COVID-19 infections and in the middle…

After many years in the private sector as a business owner, Angie Carpenter began her tenure in government in February of 1993 when she was elected to the position of Legislator of the 11th Legislative District in a special election. In the Legislature, Angie was known for her persistent efforts on the behalf of all of her constituents. Having served as a member of nearly every committee in the Legislature, she was elected unanimously for two terms as Deputy Presiding Officer. After a long and successful 13 years at the Suffolk County Legislature, Angie was elected Suffolk County Treasurer in…

AvPORTS announces the appointment of April Gasparri to Westchester County Airport (HPN) manager. Gasparri is an accomplished airport executive who has worked at three major airports in the Northeast U.S. for over 15 years. Peter Scherrer – who served as manager of the Westchester County Airport since 2005 – has been promoted to vice president of Airport Management Services and is part of the executive team. In the coming weeks, Scherrer will help ensure a seamless transition with Gasparri. Gasparri has served in various leadership roles at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – JFK and LaGuardia…

JetBlue announced that Lisa Studness Reifer has been named head of finance and treasury on the airline’s senior leadership team. Reifer, who will be celebrating 18 years with JetBlue in February, has served as vice president, infrastructure, properties and development since 2017. Reifer will be responsible for investor relations, treasury, and risk management, including fuel hedging and insurance, in addition to infrastructure. She will also assume responsibility as JetBlue’s treasurer, reporting to JetBlue’s Chief Financial Officer Ursula Hurley. Since joining JetBlue in February 2004, Reifer has led teams across JetBlue’s organization including strategy, investor relations, legal, and airport affairs. As…

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) made it into the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) list of Top 10 List of most unusual items found nationwide at security checkpoints in 2021. TSA released the list in a Youtube video, see below. What was the item from the airport that ranked as #9 on the Top 10 List? On August 21, 2021, the TSA officers at EWR detected a long-barreled revolver with a wooden grip that looked very much like an antique pistol. It was the type of handgun that you might have seen pulled during one of several movie shootouts in “Butch Cassidy…

JFK International Airport is the world’s airport. During the pandemic, the cargo areas have seen unprecedented shipments of goods into the area bound for near and far.  There has been PPE, medical equipment, vaccines, and other critical medications.  Now, as we are in need of rapid COVID tests to support our schools and other public places to stay open safely, the shipment arrived. ASAK Solutions, the Veteran Owned ground handler at JFK, was a crucial part of the coordination for the complicated shipment of over 4 million test kits.  There were flight delays (of course), the tests had to be offloaded…

JetBlue announced that it has named Dave Clark to head of revenue and planning. In his new role, Clark will oversee JetBlue’s network strategy, operational planning and analysis, and sales and revenue management. In addition, he will oversee JetBlue’s airline partnership portfolio – including the Northeast Alliance with American Airlines – as well as operational engineering and manpower planning. He will report to JetBlue President and Chief Operating Officer Joanna Geraghty. Since joining JetBlue in May 2009, Clark has led teams across JetBlue’s commercial organization. Since February 2017, Clark has served as vice president, sales and revenue management, where he…