Plans have been uncovered by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Delta Air Lines for the huge redevelopment of two terminals at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners has approved a $20 million (approximately £10 m) planning study for the reconstruction of Terminal 2 and 3 at the airport.

Operated by Delta Air Lines, the terminals handle more than 9 million of a total of 48 million passengers using the airport in a year, and are the oldest traveller facilities at JFK.

Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, "Terminals 2 and 3 opened at the dawn of the jet age and they simply are not equipped to accommodate the demands of air travel in the 21st century.

We are committed to providing our customers with the best facilities possible, and this study is the first step in delivering on that commitment for users of these terminals".

Christopher O. Ward, Executive Director, said, "Kennedy Airport has undergone a nearly complete transformation in the last 15 years. The redevelopment of these two terminals is the last key component of the central terminal area's renaissance".

Delta Air Lines and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are working together on the planning process with the aim of deciding the reconstruction plan by late this year.

The Port Authority has organised a public-private reconstruction program at JFK International Airport that started in the early 1990s and has provided more than $9 billion for development work.