AirTrain fares cut in half as JFK Airport construction reaches peak

In an effort to reduce the snarling traffic expected during a massive construction project at Kennedy Airport this summer, the single ride fare for the AirTrain will temporarily be slashed in half to $4.25 starting Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday.

The Port Authority has put out several advisories to travelers in recent months warning of expected congestion and traffic issues.

Hochul, in a statement, said the fare reduction makes it more affordable to use the AirTrain and would “mitigate travel delays.”

Earlier this month, the Port Authority unveiled a free drop-off, pickup and waiting lot for passengers at Lefferts Boulevard to have easier access to the AirTrain, which brings them to different terminals.

And the agency said it has increased personnel including police officers, traffic managers, taxi dispatchers and parking attendants to help manage the flow of vehicles during construction.

The $19 billion “transformation project” at Kennedy includes a new roadway network, two new international terminals and a new ground transportation center. Construction is underway and will coincide with the busy summer travel months, expected to cause gridlock in and around the airport.

Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton called it a “historic” project that comes “once in a generation.”

“We are entering our peak construction period while managing record passenger volumes, so traffic on the airport this summer will be very congested,” Cotton said in a statement. “When coming to or leaving the airport, we cannot more strongly recommend that travelers use the multitude of train and subway options that are reliably available.”

More than 3,500 parking spots have been eliminated due to construction, officials said. Travelers looking to park should prebook at JFKAirport.com.

The reduced AirTrain fare will be in effect through Labor Day and applies to the stations in Jamaica and Howard Beach.

The airport is expected to host over 18 million passengers this summer, 700,000 more than last summer, officials said.

By Lisa L. Colangelo

lisa.colangelo@newsday.com@lisalcolangelo

Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.