John F. Kennedy International Airport, which services New York City, is opening a new $65-million terminal just for traveling pets.A transport hub which opened this week provides a new terminal just for animals — a 178,000-square-foot facility called the ARK that will process everything from dogs and cats to horses and baby chicks.
On the 13th of February, the ARK at JFK announced the official opening of its Phase 1 services, which include the ARK pet oasis, equine & livestock export center, and aviary in-transit quarantine.
“The Port Authority is continuously exploring innovative ways to meet our customers’ needs,” Port Authority Aviation Director Thomas L. Bosco said. “The ARK is a world-class animal care and comprehensive veterinary service facility, and will be a great addition to JFK – not only for our passengers but as a driver for the regional economy that will create jobs and generate sales activity.”
In an important respect, the Ark is streamlining the process of pet travel, rather than revolutionizing it. Its two main services for dogs—shepherding the animals through customs and boarding and caring for them during layovers, when necessary—already exist, just in a less-efficient form.
Some rooms feature anti-microbial coverings on the walls and special filtration systems to make sure no two animals are breathing the same air. The ARK sits on 14.5 acres of land in a cargo area off the runway at JFK International Airport, that is situated for easy access to aircraft.
Wings Journal
