New York, N.Y. – May 20, 2021 – Today, LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the Vantage-led organization that is managing and redeveloping LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B, alongside the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Terminal B airline partners, celebrated the opening of a new taxiway with the first aircraft to taxi under the new eastern pedestrian skybridge. Passengers on Southwest Flight 617 to Tampa were treated to a full water salute to mark the milestone after they taxied under the bridge. Passengers inside Terminal B awaiting their flights were able to watch the first aircraft taxi right underneath them as they stood inside the pedestrian skybridge.

The eastern skybridge connects the Arrivals & Departures Hall, which opened in June 2020, directly to the eastern concourse gates. Conceived by Vantage, this truly innovative design allowed the original airport facility to remain operational throughout construction. The pedestrian skybridge is 430 feet long and the highest part of the bridge is 97 feet above the taxiway.

When the redevelopment of Terminal B is fully complete, LaGuardia will be the only airport in the world with dual skybridges. The design of the dual skybridges will bring a much needed extra two miles of taxiway space to the busy airport. The second skybridge, scheduled to be complete by the end of 2021 with the taxiway underneath opening in 2022, will connect the western concourse to the Arrivals & Departures Hall. This western skybridge will also offer beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline.

George Casey, Chair and CEO, Vantage Airport Group and member of the Board of Directors of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, said, “This skybridge demonstrates the innovative focus on planning and design that went into the redevelopment of LaGuardia Terminal B, which allowed LaGuardia Airport to remain operational throughout the entire redevelopment project. As an equity investor, lead developer and manager of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, it’s been an honor to oversee the redevelopment and management of Terminal B alongside the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and our airline partners at Terminal B.”

Read the complete news release here.