JFK Runway Closing For 4 Months

Traveler beware: JFK's longest, and busiest, runway (13R-31L) will close for four months next year! But before you start looking up recipes for Turtle Soup, the shelled ones who recently delayed flights aren't to blame. The closure is all part of a $204-million, three-year makeover, Newsday reports. Last year the runway handled more than 143,000 takeoffs and landings, and individual airlines are currently analyzing the effect the closure will have on flight schedules (a JetBlue spokeswoman said "It certainly does have an impact on operations."). The director of aviation for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey explains, "The scope of the project is truly enormous. It provides for the replacement of almost three miles of asphalt pavement." You can read more here—and you've been warned, the closure will begin in March and run until July. Since delays have plagued JFK in the past, this probably won't help their track record.