( CNN ) -- Vice President Joe Biden was right to call attention to New York 's LaGuardia Airport . From the dilapidated state of LaGuardia 's Central Terminal Building to the minimal public transport links and outdated air traffic control system , the metro area 's airports are in desperate need of modernization . But now it 's time for Biden and other leaders to put their money where their rhetoric is . The Federal Government and local politicians must step up and take sustained action . And the goal should be to fix the problem , not point fingers . Despite its outdated condition , LaGuardia serves 25 million passengers a year . As the closest airport to Manhattan , it is coveted by airlines . Moreover , New York City 's three major airports serve more than 110 million people a year , account for 500,000 jobs and contribute $ 63 billion to our regional economy , according to a November 2013 study from Global Gateway Alliance and Partnership for New York City . And they are the largest global gateway to the world for international travelers , with U.S. Customs data showing that John F. Kennedy International Airport handles the most international visitors and Newark International Airport the fifth most . As such , the airports serve as a symbol for the entire United States . Airports are responsible for the first and last impressions visitors have , and in New York , some 54 million tourists visited last year . They are fundamentally vital to our economy , tourism industry and our global reputation . As the vice president pointed out , New York 's airports are a symbol of underinvestment in infrastructure throughout the country . When the Beatles landed in New York 50 years ago last week , our airports were a symbol of the modern , efficient and forward-looking transportation infrastructure in the United States . Now , they are the embodiment of our falling behind the rest of the world . Cities all over the world have recognized the significance of their airports and have invested in state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure . Our own Global Gateway Alliance survey showed that airports from Singapore to Paris are providing innovative amenities such as 40 foot slides , ice skating rinks and on airport baby strollers to ensure that passengers have the best possible experience . The same survey showed LaGuardia and New York area airports at the bottom of the list of passenger amenities . The bottom line is we to have to invest in our airports to avoid losing out to national and international competitors and to provide a better quality of life for those millions of passengers . At LaGuardia , here 's how : . -- 21st century terminals : LaGuardia 's Central Terminal Building , built in 1964 , is a prime example of an outdated terminal desperately in need of redevelopment , which is why it 's so important for the Port Authority to deliver on the promise of a modern , efficient and innovative terminal . There are also significant space constraints with only two short runways and limited parking , which are challenges that need to be addressed . -- Better passenger amenities : Frequently voted the worst airport in the U.S. by passengers , LaGuardia is definitely not known for its amenities . All of the New York area airports would benefit from providing what are now basic services , such as free Wi-Fi , which would help business travelers , and leave visitors with a better impression of their time in New York . -- Improved transportation links : Public transportation access to all of New York 's airports is behind other world class cities , which have one seat train rides directly from the city center to the airport . Options for getting to LaGuardia via public transportation are very limited , but a Bus Rapid Transit system , with dedicated lanes and just a few stops to the airport , would help remedy that . This service would remove the threat of traffic delays normally associated with buses and provide a convenient and reliable direct ride to the airport . Reviving long dormant plans for a direct subway extension to LaGuardia are also worth exploring . -- Bring NextGen to New York first : LaGuardia , along with JFK and Newark , is the most delayed airport traffic control system in the country . Every day , our airspace contributes to one half to three quarters of all delays around the country . The solution is NextGen , the new satellite-based air traffic control system . Replacing the old 1960s radar technology means fewer delays on the ground and in the air . But the FAA has to step up and make it happen in New York . Right now , the federal government is years behind in developing NextGen , and the FAA wants to roll it out in smaller markets first , despite the tremendous impact the New York airspace has on national delays . It 's past time to stop ignoring our airports and to move them to the front of the priorities line . That 's how LaGuardia will go from Third World to world class . The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors .
Vice President Biden compared LaGuardia Airport to being in a Third World country . Authors : U.S. has let its airports fall far behind the curve internationally . They say politicians need to make improving LaGuardia and others a priority . Authors : The United States is one of only two countries that don't have an airport with international standards, according to the International Air Transport Association.