Friday's New York Times reports on the impending closure of runway 13R-31L - Kennedy's longest and most heavily used - for a four month period starting in June of this year. The delays that may result, along with those from superimposed security delays and always-hard-to-determine weather patterns, have the potential to add up to major frustrations, but the move is a good one for the long haul.
The reasons are simple: Kennedy is expected to grow faster than the region's other major airports given the rising demand for international travel, the market which Kennedy serves, and given the excess capacity the airport has. While other fixes, such as an upgrade to satellite technology to guide planes, will be required to truly smooth air travel and reduce the negative economic impacts air traffic congestion has on the region, the runway upgrade is an important first step.
@BetterAirports