Delta Air Lines, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and JFK International Air Terminal LLC have opened the new Terminal 4 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, part of a $1.4 billion redevelopment program at JFK.

“The state-of-the-art Terminal 4 facilities have been years in the making and Delta people, global customers and the residents of New York now have the international hub facility that they expect and deserve,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer.

“It’s an exciting time at Delta and JFK Terminal 4 is emblematic of the investments we are making in New York and around the world.  We are celebrating today thanks to the hard work and dedication of our partners in this project including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFKIAT and the Schiphol Group.”

Today’s opening of the first phase of Delta’s Terminal 4 expansion includes:Nine new and seven renovated international gates; improved and renovated check-in areas, including a dedicated Sky Priority check-in; a centralized security checkpoint. and new dining and retail offerings.

With the 346,000-square-foot expansion of Concourse B, Terminal 4, which is managed by JFKIAT, now measures 2 million square feet, making it one of the largest terminals in North America. Delta partner Virgin Atlantic Airways also operates out of Terminal 4.

Earlier this year, Delta announced phase two of the Terminal 4 redevelopment plan that will include an additional 11 gates on Terminal 4’s Concourse B. Construction on phase two will commence immediately. Upon completion in summer 2015, Terminal 4’s Concourse B will house a total of 27 Delta gates and replace Delta’s current Terminal 2 regional jet facility.

“Delta’s $1.4 billion investment in this state is further proof that New York is a prime destination for businesses to grow and thrive,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

“This investment was critical in improving JFK’s infrastructure, created more than 1,000 construction jobs and demonstrated the strength of our Minority—Women-owned Business Enterprises participation. We look forward to Phase II of Delta’s JFK investment and thank them for their continued partnership and commitment to the State.”