The severe disruptions at New York's main airport continue in absolute chaos for the third consecutive day, with canceled and delayed flights and passengers on a rampage, stuck in the terminals for a series of chain disruptions caused by the frost and storm of snow. In particular, at terminal 4 of John F. Kennedy International Airport, landings were suspended after the rupture of a water pipe, which further aggravated the confusion. The water escaping from the ceiling submerged the arrivals area with about eight centimeters of water and consequently the electricity was cut to avoid short circuits.
Rick Cotton, executive director of the New York and New Jersey Airport Authority, responsible for the airports, stated that "What happened at the JFK airport is unacceptable, we will find those responsible for any deficiencies found".
The 4 Terminal is used by more than 30 airlines, including Air India, Delta, Egyptair, El Al, Emirates, Etihad, KLM Royal Dutch, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. This means that the hardships have occurred in particular in international arrivals and departures. Many flights have been diverted to other airports or terminals.
The emergency situation has highlighted the inadequacy of the infrastructures that serve the financial capital of the United States, with its 8,5 millions of inhabitants, after a series of incidents that have also affected the metropolitan network and derailments in recent years on the trains of the commuters. The east coast of the United States has been hit for days by a wave of bad weather and frost with record cold temperatures, which have also caused the death of 22 people. Meanwhile temperatures continue to remain "freezing" in Boston a record temperature of -19 degrees Celsius was recorded yesterday morning.