Port Authority boss Chris Ward said Tuesday that LaGuardia Airport should be torn down - and then completely rebuilt as soon as money is available.
The facility that whisks millions of travelers on their not-so-merry way is a chaotic and unwieldy mess that's not fit for the 21st century, Ward argued.
"LaGuardia should not be the gateway for domestic flights into New York City," Ward told a Crain's New York Business breakfast forum. "It should fundamentally be torn down and rebuilt again."
The stark comments from the PA's executive director seemed to startle business executives at the Grand Hyatt. Demolishing the 72-gate, 680-acre facility has never been publicly debated.
"LaGuardia was built over decades, and it's not the kind of integrated aviation facility that the 21st century really demands," he said.
"On top of that, we've layered in post-9/11 security, and because of that you have an experience for the air traveler which is unnecessarily chaotic and difficult to manage."
Like the subways, LaGuardia is part of most New Yorkers' DNA - even though it's an ugly, unmanageable horror show that conjures up the romance of aviation for almost no one.
Ward said the PA lacks the cash right now to dismantle the airport but disclosed that the agency has hired planning consultants to "reimagine" the modern, state-of-the-art launch pad that will one day take its place.
The total teardown wouldn't happen overnight, PA officials say: It would be phased in over time so operations could continue while airport demolition is underway.
"I think candidly, over time, building piece by piece, LaGuardia has to be completely redone," he said.
"It will improve aeronautical efficiency, get more flights in and out, improve gate utilization - and give the flying public a state of the art terminal that they really deserve."
