United States of America: Whether John F. Kennedy International Airport was open to incoming international flights on 15 September 2001; whether any flights from Pakistan International Airlines arrived on 15 September 2001; security procedures in place at the time
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 10 October 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | USA40096.E |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, United States of America: Whether John F. Kennedy International Airport was open to incoming international flights on 15 September 2001; whether any flights from Pakistan International Airlines arrived on 15 September 2001; security procedures in place at the time , 10 October 2002, USA40096.E , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e34c.html [accessed 22 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In its 15 September 2001 "National Situation Update," the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that "all NYC airports are open with limited service."
A 15 September 2001 press release of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey states the following:
Scheduled flights at Kennedy, Newark and LaGuardia airports are expected to run at about 50 to 55 percent of their normal levels today.
As the New York/New Jersey airports, and airports around the country, gradually resume full flight operations, delays and flight cancellations are expected. Airlines are continuing to operate on sharply reduced schedules, and security is intense.
In light of the limited schedule, it is more important than ever for airport-bound travellers to consult with their airlines before heading to the airport, to confirm that the flight they intend to take or to meet is, in fact, operating. For departing passengers, once the flight is confirmed, plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure time to allow for heightened security requirements.
At Newark International Airport, 295 arrivals and 255 departures are expected today. LaGuardia Airport is expecting about 268 arrivals and 230 departures. At John F. Kennedy International Airport, 206 arrivals and 257 departures are expected.
Yesterday, the airports reported handling the following total numbers of flights (arrivals and departures): Newark: 290 (total); JFK: 84; and LaGuardia: 70.
The press release does not provide details on what constituted "intense" security at the New York and New Jersey airports on that date.
The John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport police office and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) office at JFK airport were unable to provide details on security measures in place after 11 September 2001. A JFK information officer stated during a 2 October 2002 telephone interview that security and passenger control were markedly increased after 11 September 2001; however, the information officer was unable to provide any further security-related information.
A 14 September 2001 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report on the status of flights to the United States indicates that "Asian carriers have also been prevented from resuming US flights, with Cathay Pacific Airways one of the only carriers to get flights through to Canada." The report adds that "US airspace was officially opened to commercial aircraft at 1500 GMT on Thursday [13 September 2001]," adding:
Airlines have warned passengers to allow for at least three hours of check-in time, because of extra security measures.
Security has been considerably tightened: teams of police officers, accompanied by German Shepherd dogs, are patrolling hallways and all knives are banned.
Each airline and airport must be considered for approval on an individual basis (BBC 14 Sept. 2001).
After verifying flight record books, staff at the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) office at JFK airport stated during a 2 October 2002 telephone interview that no PIA flight arrived at JFK on 15 September 2001. Staff indicated that, although JFK was open on 15 September 2001, PIA clearance to fly into New York was delayed, so the first PIA flight to arrive at this airport arrived on 16 September 2001 at 8:49 a.m. (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), London. 14 September 2001. "Transatlantic Flights Resume." John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York. 2 October 2002. Telephone interview with information officer.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York. 2 October 2002. Telephone interview with staff.
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. 15 September 2001. "Air Travel Slowly Returning to Normal at New York/New Jersey Airports, Heavy Delays Expected to Continue." United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC. 15 September 2001. "National Situation Update: Saturday, September 15, 2001." Additional Sources Consulted
AirWise News.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Eastern Region offices and electronic archives.
IRB databases.
John F. Kennedy International Airport, police office and public documents.
Internet sites and search engines.
