John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Lower Manhattan. In 2011 it was the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North America. It is also the leading freight gateway to the country by value of shipments. In 2011, the airport handled 47.809,910 passengers, making in the 17th busiest airport in the world and sixth busiest in the United States in terms of passenger traffic. The New York States in terms of passenger traffic. The New York City metropolitan area’s JFK International, LaGuardia, and Newark International airports combine to create the largest airport system in the United States, second in the world in terms of passenger traffic, and first in the world in terms of total flight operations. In the last few years it has made extensive improvements to terminals, roadways and inter-terminal transportation. Over ninety airlines operate out of JFK. It is the base of operations for Jet Blue Airways and is a major international gateway hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. In the past, it has been a hub for Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, Pan American World Airways and Trans World Airlines.