NEW YORK, June 1 (Reuters) – New York officials on Wednesday celebrated the six-year $8 billion reconstruction of the city’s long-derided LaGuardia airport with a brand new Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) terminal.
Delta’s glittering 1.3 million-square foot $4 billion Terminal C will begin flights on Saturday at nine of the 37 new gates. Delta, the largest carrier at LaGuardia, is flying 255 flights daily to 70 cities this summer.
New York and airlines spent $8 billion to reconstruct the airport that then-Vice President Joe Biden in 2014 dubbed “some third-world country.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul did not forget Biden’s earlier assessment. “Come see this, President Biden, because your jaw is going to drop,” Hochul said at a grand opening event.
Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said LaGuardia had transformed from the “most reviled airport in the nation” into a world-class facility.
Airlines provided about two-thirds of the cost, with about $3.4 billion from Delta, New York said.
American Airlines (AAL.O) in 2020 opened its new arrivals and departures hall at LaGuardia Terminal B. In January, the $4 billion terminal redevelopment project was completed.
In 2017, New York and Delta broke groun
