NYU Rudin Center Hosts Symposium on the Future of the New York Region’s Airports
On May 29, 2025, the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation hosted a symposium on The Future of the New York Region’s Airports. The event brought together leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore the next era of airport development—focusing on innovation, sustainability, equity, and workforce readiness.
The program opened with a keynote address by Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who has led the agency through an historic $30 billion redevelopment of LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, and JFK airports. Cotton emphasized the importance of the Port Authority’s ethos: being “a world-class operator of world-class airports.” He highlighted how interagency collaboration and long-term vision are driving the transformation of the region’s aviation infrastructure. He underscored the need to integrate national coordination, climate goals, cutting-edge technology, and passenger experience into every stage of redevelopment.
Following the keynote, a distinguished panel of experts discussed the critical systems and strategies shaping the future of the region’s airports:
- Sarah McKeon, Director of Aviation, Port Authority of NY & NJ
- Richard Sun, Transportation Counsel to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer
- Teri Bristol, former Chief Operating Officer, FAA Air Traffic Organization
- Moderated by Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo, President, Vaughn College
Panelists explored the future of air traffic control, the growing demand for a diverse and skilled aviation workforce, and the integration of policy, technology, and sustainability across airport operations. The conversation underscored how New York’s airports are not only gateways to the world, but also engines of economic growth, innovation, and regional resilience.
Below are several highlights of the event; photos by Rene Chandler, NYU Photo Bureau.
Written by Jack Kelly, Graduate Assistant.
Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
From left to right: Dr. Sharon DeVivo, Teri Bristol, Richard Sun, and Sarah McKeon
Sarah M. Kaufman, Director of the NYU Rudin Center
Lee Sander, Founding Director, NYU Rudin Center
Main event space, NYU Wagner