Alstom signs a seven-year contract extension to operate and maintain John F. Kennedy International Airport’s AirTrain in New York

The JFK AirTrain is a crucial part of reducing traffic congestion around the airport. The system connects all passenger terminals to airport parking lots, the hotel shuttle pick-up area, the rental car center, and NYC’s public transportation network at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations, where passengers and airport employees can connect with the subway, the Long Island Railroad, and public buses.

Under the agreement, Alstom will be responsible for ensuring the AirTrain is running twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and for maintaining the vehicle fleet, station doors, guideways, power distribution systems, car wash, signalling system and facilities. The fleet is composed of 32 automated light metro trains, which range in size from one to four cars based on passenger demand, serving nine stations.

“We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK International Airport,” said Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas. “Since 2003, our industry-leading airport system has safely and reliably transported millions of travellers and employees between terminals. As JFK's partner of choice, Alstom is excited to support the modernization and expansion of AirTrain service at one of the world's busiest airports.”

“As we extend our partnership with Alstom, we strengthen our commitment to providing world-class service for the millions of travellers who rely on JFK Airport’s AirTrain each year,” said Teresa Rizzuto, General Manager of JFK International Airport. “This long-standing collaboration goes beyond operational efficiency; the AirTrain plays a key role in reducing traffic congestion and enhancing connectivity for passengers. The Port Authority looks forward to continue working with Alstom on JFK AirTrain, a critical piece of JFK’s infrastructure, and one that also fosters sustainability, local job creation, and community development. We also encourage all of our customers to consider using JFK AirTrain to avoid construction-related traffic while we rebuild the airport.”

A highly reliable system, firmly rooted in its community

Last year, nearly 25 million passengers rode the JFK AirTrain, with an average daily ridership of more than 68,000 travellers and airport employees. To accommodate the high passenger volumes, the system operates 24/7, 365 days a year, and Alstom’s operations and maintenance teams ensure high performance, delivering an average system availability of 98.56% in 2024. Full automation of the system provides improved safety, high reliability, higher capacity with shorter headways between trains, and lower maintenance costs. The project will retain over 230 employees, including 59 customer service agents to provide assistance to passengers.

As part of its commitment to the local community, the Alstom JFK Service Delivery Center provides job seekers with past involvement in the criminal justice system access to job opportunities through its participation in the Council for Airport Opportunity’s Office of Second Chance Employment (OSCE), an initiative sponsored by PANYNJ.

In addition, the JFK Alstom team partnered with Workforce One and Grant Associates to collaborate with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Industry Scholars Program, which supports High School students' pursuit of advanced postsecondary education and career aspirations through valuable hands-on experience. Forty promising students participated in the program since the fall of 2021. Alstom is also committed to growing and nurturing Minority and Women Owned Business (MWBE) participation at this site. Last year the company spent $7 million with local MWBEs. Alstom is also working with the JFK Redevelopment Team to host a series of workshops aimed at mentorship and inclusion for our local MWBEs.

A world leader in Operations and Maintenance

Alstom’s FlexCare Operate portfolio covers the full spectrum of customer needs, including operations for all types of fleets and maintenance for the full transit system. Its customers benefit from reduced operating costs and increased operational efficiencies through technologies and best practices based on over 40 years of experience operating and maintaining trains and systems. With over 25 active operations and maintenance projects worldwide, Alstom is a trusted partner in helping transit authorities and communities achieve their mobility goals.

[1] This contract was booked during the fourth quarter of Alstom’s 2024/25 fiscal year

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