JFK is located in the southeastern
section of Queens County, New York City, on Jamaica Bay. It
is fifteen miles by highway from midtown Manhattan.
John F.
Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is operated by The Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey under a lease with the
City of New York since June 1, 1947. Construction began in
April 1942, when the City of New York contracted for the placing
of hydraulic fill over the marshy tidelands on the site of
Idlewild Golf Course. Planned at first for 1,000 acres, the
airport grew to five times that size. First commercial flights
began on July 1, 1948. The airport was formally dedicated as
New York International Airport on July 31, 1948. It was re-dedicated
on December 24, 1963 as John F. Kennedy International Airport,
following action of the Mayor and Council of the City of New
York, and a resolution of the Commissioners of the Port Authority.
JFK consists of 4,930 acres, including 880 acres in the Central
Terminal Area (CTA).
The airport has more than 30 miles of
roadway and is 12.7 feet above sea level. |
