YVR’s Vantage Airport Group to redevelop LaGuardia Airport

Vantage Airport Group Ltd., a subsidiary of the Vancouver Airport Authority, has been selected to oversee the development of a new $3.6 billion terminal at LaGuardia Airport.

“We look forward to partnering with the Port Authority on this significant project for the city and state of New York,” said Stewart Steeves of Vantage Airport Group in a statement. Vantage is the leader of a consortium that was announced as the bid winner today.

The Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners today voted unanimously to begin the first phase of their vision, part of an overall plan for revitalizing the airport.

LaGuardia has often been the subject of jokes in comparison to other New York-area airports. Vice President Joe Biden once compared it to a ‘Third World Country’.

“For too long, LaGuardia has been the stepchild of our region’s airports compared to JFK and Newark International,” said Port Authority Vice Chairman Scott Rechler in a statement. “Today we took the first step in moving forward with a comprehensive master plan to redevelop LaGuardia into a 21st century, world-class airport that the State of New York deserves.”

Vantage, which draws on the expertise YVR officials have in growing and developing airports around the world, manages several airports. They began aggressively vying for the LaGuardia Airport in 2014.

WATCH: YVR airport operators eye Laguardia terminal redesign

“It’s a great opportunity for us to take all of our collective experience, build a really nice terminal that works for the passengers and airlines, and then who knows what other opportunities might come about,” said Vancouver Airport Authority CEO Craig Richmond last year.

“It’s a large project, it’s a complex project, but that excites us,” said George Case, Vantage Airport Group President.