New Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall opens at LaGuardia Airport

Credit: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The new, state-of-the-art Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – the biggest milestone to date in the airport’s ongoing $8 billion transformation programme – was officially opened to the public on 13 June 2020.

The project, which is one of the largest public private partnerships in aviation history, includes the demolition and replacement of every terminal and concourse at the airport, except for the historically land-marked Marine Air Terminal.

Governor of New York, Andrew M. Cuomo, said: “The opening of the new Arrivals and Departures Hall at Terminal B is the biggest milestone to date in the transformation of LaGuardia Airport into a world-class transportation hub that is worthy of New York State. As we continue to upgrade and modernise this airport for the 21st century, this new state-of-the-art hall will offer passengers a unique travel experience with new concessions, traveller amenities and art installations by four of the world’s leading artists, while increasing space for passengers to move more safely and efficiently during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The 850,000ft², four-story arrivals and departures hall will provide New York’s travellers with a 21st century airport experience that includes new local concessions, modern restrooms and a New York-inspired shopping district.

The new hall also showcases permanent public art installations curated by the Public Art Fund, enhancing the passenger experience and underscoring New York’s global position as a beacon for arts and culture.

By virtue of its size, the terminal presents greater opportunities to move passengers more safely and efficiently with improved physical distancing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, including more space for check-in, security and baggage claim, along with new innovations in contactless technology and an increased focus on cleanliness and disinfection.

Kevin O’Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), said: “The completion of the new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall represents our commitment to providing the safest travel experience possible while ensuring a world-class travel experience. The terminal features spacious, centralised check-in, state-of-the-art security technology that has been integrated from curbside to gate, and modern concessions, shopping and art. In the midst of this important re-imagining of LGA, we face new challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We remain devoted to keeping the health and safety of our customers our top priority.”

The opening of the new arrivals and departures hall follows the openings of the new Terminal B parking garage in February 2018, the first new gates and concourse in Terminal B in December 2018 and the first new gates and concourse in Terminal C in October 2019.