JFK, Newark Liberty Air Cargo Helping Sustain Nation’s Health

Posted on April 13, 2020 by PANYNJ PORTfolio

By Abigail Goldring, Media Relations Staff

John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty International airports are more than just global gateways for passengers. They’re global gateways for cargo, too, which includes everything from salmon in sushi to memory chips in iPhones.

Today, this pair of powerhouse cargo hubs have become more important than ever for a nation relying on the speedy delivery of life-saving medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, as well as everyday cleaning and sanitary products, in its fight against the coronavirus.

“JFK and Newark airports are established gateways for the movement of high-value and time-sensitive commodities,” said Mike Bednarz, Manager of Air Cargo Business Development. “Our airport operations enable these goods to get where they need to go.”

0186The two airports are well-equipped to meet the challenge as the region is in the midst of its most difficult weeks since the onset of the pandemic.

In 2019, JFK and Newark Airports – home to 100 commercial airlines and 18 freight-only airlines that feed a massive network of more than 500 freight forwarding companies – combined to handle nearly 2.2 million tons of air cargo for the region.

Optical and medical instruments, including face masks and testing kits, accounted for over 34,000 tons of the 2.2 million total last year, and the value of those items alone exceeded $9 billion. At Newark, the top commodity by export value was pharmaceuticals, valued at over $2 billion.

0187As buyers and vendors increasingly turn to online outlets for commerce and goods, Newark Airport has become the regional hub for small packages, while JFK has assumed the position as the region’s leading cargo center. Cargo demand at these airports remains strong despite the recent decrease in passenger demand due to the spread of COVID-19.

0189“It’s not a stretch to say that Newark and JFK airports are literally saving lives right now,” said Pasquale DiFulco, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Port Authority’s Aviation Department. “These airports’ contributions to the region during this pandemic cannot be overstated.”

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Health on Wheels: An Officer’s Gift to First Responders

Posted on April 10, 2020 by PANYNJ PORTfolio

By Lenis Rodrigues, Media Relations Staff

When surgical technician Christine Slater became concerned for her father and daughter’s health after the outbreak of COVID-19, she looked for alternative housing to keep them safe while continuing to risk her own health during shifts at Saint Clare’s Hospital in Morris County, NJ.

Enter Port Authority Police Detective Chris Johnson, whose wife Heather runs a camper rental business, Rental Outfitters. Rather than rent the camper, they offered it free of charge. The detective personally delivered it to Slater, who is now residing there to protect her family from possible exposure to the virus.

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Detective Johnson and his wife, Heather

“I was in such a panic for my dad and my daughter,” said Slater. “I was in constant fear for my family. When I contacted Chris, he immediately put me at ease and helped me so much. I can’t say enough about him and his wife.”

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Christine Slater and her temporary home

Johnson was happy to help, but it wasn’t an isolated incident. A week later, he and his wife received a call from nurse Nichole Dorn of Madison, WI. Dorn had traveled to New Jersey to help at a beleaguered hospital in Morristown and desperately needed a place to stay. Once again, the Johnsons rose to the occasion, setting her up rent-free in a camper – this one parked in the officer’s driveway.

“We are complete strangers but we wanted her to know that she had a home away from home waiting for her in New Jersey,” said Johnson, who is assigned to the police command at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

“It was really hard to leave my family but it was the right thing to do,” Dorn said.  A few days ago, she said, “I was having a bad day and when I came back to the trailer, their kids had colored pictures, thanking me for my service, and it just made my day.”

“It is so humbling seeing people come together and help each other out and they’ve definitely made me feel welcome,” she said.

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The Johnsons’ children made ‘thank you’ posters for nurse Nichole Dorn

Just three days ago, the couple received another call, this time from a Freehold, NJ nurse also concerned for her daughter’s safety while she was assigned to a COVID-19 unite. She contacted the Johnsons, who arranged a pick-up of the trailer and had a State Trooper deliver it to her.

“My wife and I knew that with everything going on, this might be the end of our small business but we didn’t want to let our resources go to waste,” said Johnson. “These people are going above and beyond the call. If we could help by taking away one less stress or help with their anxiety, we will.”

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One Police Command’s Recipe for Survival

Posted on April 6, 2020 by PANYNJ PORTfolio

By Lenis Rodrigues, Media Relations Staff

While on duty recently at the Port Authority Police Department command at LaGuardia Airport, Sergeant Brian Vitale learned that rookie PAPD Officer Jessica Vaccaro’s family business — Vaccaro’s Bakery in Clark, N.J. — was facing closure, like many other small businesses currently struggling to survive the economic ravages of COVID-19.

Not only was this the long-successful business of a valued colleague that was now in jeopardy, it’s a bakery that Vitale and others in the command know well. Officer Vaccaro often brought the store’s tasty baked goods into the office on holidays and other occasions, part of her family’s commitment to providing for first responders.

So Vitale cooked up a plan. He teamed up with Sergeant John Garrone and Officers Anthony Espinal, Rony Moran and Thomas Guarnieri to collect donations from members of the LGA command. Within a few days, they had raised over $4,500.  Vaccaro and her family responded with thanks, appreciation, and emotion.

“I’ve grown up around the bakery and have watched them give to other local police departments, fire departments, schools, and town functions,” said Vaccaro. “When I got hired by the PAPD, they didn’t hesitate to give to us, too. To see my co-workers come together and support the bakery really shows how family supports family.”

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(L-R) Officer Guarnieri, owners Eileen and Vinny Vaccaro, Officers Vaccaro and Espinal

On Tuesday, her mother and her aunt FaceTimed the officers in the command to thank them for their generosity.

“When my niece told me about this, my husband and I were shocked,” her aunt, Eileen Vaccaro, said. “We are all hurting right now… and for these officers who put their lives on the line every day and for them to do this for us, we couldn’t be more grateful. They’re incredible.” She said the donations help pay the bills for the bakery this month.

“Officer Vaccaro is one of our own and we take care of our own,” Vitale said. “From the words of our Chairman and Executive Director, we were, we are, and we always will be a team. That is the essence of the Port Authority.”

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Officer Vaccaro (second from right) sharing pies with the LGA Command last Thanksgiving

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