But there is good news for business travelers.
These new measures include:
- A new planning procedure for airlines that will establish a specified “storm window.” This window will be used to determine if flights will be cancelled.
- The JFK Emergency Operating Center (EOC) was established in January and operates on a 24/7 basis during all winter storms.
- JFK created an airport-wide inventory of equipment to be used during winter storms, which will be deployed as necessary to airlines, terminal operators, or ground-handling organizations.
- New baggage service obligations were implemented, which includes a baggage service office that meets international best practice standards.
- Operators are required to certify that all relevant equipment is fully fueled and checked for storm readiness.
- JFK will now provide employees access to heavy duty buses prior to, and during, winter storms, ensuring they can get to the airport on time.
- The airport will spend $3.5 million on four snow blowers and $1.4 million on four snow plows prior to the 2018-19 winter storm season.
From a logistics perspective, The Port Authority is confident that these measures will ensure smooth travels during the 2018-19 winter storm season. Lawrence said, “what happened in January cannot and will not happen again.”