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 recipients within the airport community, supporting workforce development, and assisting local students on their path to successful careers in the aviation industry. We have several large events coming up, and we would love to see you all there! The next event is the ACF Cup, an airport employee soccer tournament. Gather your teams, bring your colleagues, friends, and families for an exciting day of competitive games and camaraderie—it’s an event you won’t want to miss!
Progress on the Terminal 6 project at JFK Airport has been remarkable; it feels like just yesterday they were breaking ground, and Metropolitan Airport News has been there for all the major milestones. The T6 JFK Millennium Partners team has been fantastic to collaborate with on editorial content and updates, including hosting the recent Airport Executive Series Luncheon with the Airport Community Foundation. You can read all about Steve Thody’s fireside chat with our editor-in-chief, Julia Lauria-Blum, last month, in which they discussed the grand opening of the new terminal in great depth. Like all of you, we cannot wait to see the final product!
Be sure to check our calendar for up-to-date airport events throughout the metropolitan New York airports. Visit our website to register and stay informed with a steady stream of articles and information relevant to the airport community.
I hope you enjoy this issue, and I look forward to seeing you around the airports!
On This Months Cover
This month’s cover photo was taken by Eraldo Llukaj, a facilities coordinator with JFK Millennium Partners, working on the development of Terminal 6, one of the airport’s newest terminals. In addition to his work at JMP, he is an aviation photographer focused on capturing aircraft and the evolution of modern airports.
(L.-R.): Karen Ali, COO; Steve Thody, CEO; Derek Thielmann, T6 Project Director, and Mike Sibilia, CFO.
