After six years, LaGuardia Airport’s $4 billion renovation of its Terminal B is officially complete.
Encompassing 35 gates and 50 retail spaces, the 1.35 million-square-foot Terminal B will host American Airlines (A1G) (AAL). It also has a 3,000 space parking garage, two new pedestrian sky bridges and a series of art installations.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul, along with Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Rick Cotton and Chairman Kevin O’Toole, and LaGuardia Gateway Partners CEO Frank Scremin marked the momentous event with an unveiling ceremony on January 27, 2022.
.@GovKathyHochul, Port Authority Exec Dir Rick Cotton, and @terminalBLGA Gateway Partners celebrated the completion of new facilities at #LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, marking a major milestone in the terminal’s $4 billion transformation. #awholenewlga pic.twitter.com/I3DzC0HqMW
— Port Authority of NY & NJ. Wear a Face Covering. (@PANYNJ) January 27, 2022
“The transformation of LaGuardia airport into a world-class destination that is internationally recognized for its beauty is an integral part of our bold vision for a new era in New York,” Hochul said in a statement.
“The completion of this $4 billion project will help provide a brand new passenger experience for everyone traveling through Terminal B, easing connections and creating lasting impressions.”
According to the terminal’s renovation developers, LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the terminal’s western pedestrian skybridge opens to passengers on January 28, 2022. It is the project’s last major construction milestone. Hochul and the developers said that this makes LaGuardia the first airport in the world with dual skybridges.
We’re bringing the region #awholenewlga.
Read about today’s news on the completion of Terminal B herehttps://t.co/AoH3IudYLa pic.twitter.com/ZCUyq76mlj
— LaGuardia Airport. Wear a Face Covering. (@LGAairport) January 27, 2022
The official groundbreaking for the renovations, pile driving, and demolition of the terminal’s previous parking lot took place in 2016.
Part of the newly-renovated Terminal B of LaGuardia Airport image source: anewlga.com
In her unveiling remark, Governor Hochul said that the airport was awarded by UNESCO the 2021 Prix Versailles Global Architecture and Design Award for the new best airport in the world.
Prior to the renovation, the airport was in such a state that then-Vice President Joe Biden infamously likened LaGuardia airport to ‘a third world country.’
Hochul said that President Biden would be invited to Terminal B to see the improvements
According to the New York Governor, there are plans underway to renovate Terminal C and Terminal D of the airport as well.