N.Y. Airport Is Tops in Import-Export Value

New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport was the nation’s largest international freight gateway by value in 2004, pushing the Port of Los Angeles from the top spot, the Transportation Department said.

JFK airport, which was the No. 1 trade gateway from 1999 to 2002, handled $72.6 billion in imports and $52.7 billion in exports for a total of $125.3 billion in merchandise last year, the department said. The Los Angeles port remained the largest import gateway, moving $105.1 billion in imports and $16.4 billion in exports for a total of $121.4 billion, preliminary data showed.

The Port of Long Beach ranked third overall, up two spots, handling $102.8 billion in imports and $18.6 billion in exports for a total of $121.3 billion. Los Angeles International Airport remained in seventh place overall at $68.7 billion in trade.