NEW YORK, May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and JFK International Air Terminal LLC (JFKIAT) today opened the new Terminal 4 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, part of a $1.4 billion redevelopment program at JFK.
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"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. New dining and retail offerings.
- A new 24,000-square-foot flagship Delta Sky Club with the first ever Sky Deckat Delta Sky Club outdoor terrace.
- An in-line baggage system to streamline and improve the baggage handling system.
- Improved Customs and Border Protection, baggage claim and re-check facilities.
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.
In addition to the expansion opening today, Delta earlier this year 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."
"Delta's gleaming new Terminal 4 at JFK International is exciting news for New York's busiest airport and our economy. This investment will add a world-class entrance to the Big Apple and greatly improve the travel experience New Yorkers as a well as visitors from across the globe. I applaud Delta, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK International Air Terminal for their hard work on this very important, job creating expansion project," said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer.
"Today's opening of Delta Air Lines' new Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport is great news for Southeast Queens and New York City as a whole. Delta's commitment to the surrounding communities and to New York City is evident in the investment it has in building this state-of-the-art facility," stated Congressman Gregory W. Meeks. Meeks continued, "In addition to the 8,800 people that Delta employs in New York, many more jobs will be added directly at JFK and indirectly in the freighting, delivery, hospitality, maintenance, and security services that support air travel and trade at America's foremost international airport. Travelers from across the world will be able to benefit from the nine new gates, seven renovated gates, enhanced check-in areas, new dining and retail outlets, a new Delta Sky Club with an outdoor terrace, and a new baggage handling system. This will continue to enhance JFK's role as the economic engine of the 5th Congressional District."
"Thanks to Delta's $1.4 billion investment, travelers to and from JFK will experience a state-of-the-art facility with improved amenities and better services," said New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "Over the past six years, Delta has doubled the number of employees based at JFK and created quality construction jobs, with a focus on local hiring and priority to MWBEs. We look forward to their continued expansion and partnership with New York City."
The Port Authority is proud to partner with Delta Air Lines on this important modernization and expansion project at John F. Kennedy International Airport,'' said Scott Rechler, the Port Authority's vice chairman. "This project will better serve the tens of millions of air travelers who use JFK, which is one of the largest international gateways in North America. Cooperation between the public and private sectors on projects like this expansion of Terminal 4 is the key to readying JFK for the greater metropolitan area's needs in the 21st century.
"Today, we celebrate another milestone in our successful partnership here in New York. Over the past 16 years, Schiphol Group has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport through our involvement in JFKIAT, the management company of Terminal 4," said Jos Nijhuis, president and CEO, Schiphol Group. "We are proud to have shared in making Terminal 4 one of the best air terminals in the world. The development and completion of this new expansion mark a spectacular accomplishment on the part of our partner, Delta Air Lines, and all the alliance members. We continually challenge and inspire each other to provide excellent service to the traveling public."
The Terminal 4 Delta Sky Club, the largest in the Delta system, offers travelers superior amenities and a unique customer experience. A chef-designed menu of cuisine such as sushi, cheese, charcuterie and dessert will allow customers the option of enjoying a pre-departure meal, enabling them to sleep immediately after takeoff. Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, who also selects Delta's Business Elite wine offerings, has developed a premium wine-by-the glass program for the Club with many vintages usually available only by the bottle, including Dom Perignon and Muga Prado Enea, Gran Reserva. Additionally customers needing privacy within the Club can reserve the Ciroc Lounge, which offers a private space with seating and entertainment.
The Sky Deck at Delta Sky Club, debuting at JFK Terminal 4, is a 2,000-square-foot rooftop terrace developed in partnership with Architectural Digest. Renowned designer Thom Filicia was selected by Architectural Digest to create a distinctive space that will offer passengers runway views and the comfort, convenience and relaxation they have come to expect from the award-winning Delta Sky Club.
Delta has ceased operations at Terminal 3. The site will be redeveloped for operational use.
Delta's Corporate Strategy
The new international terminal at New York's JFK airport is the latest in a series of initiatives designed to position Delta for long-term success. Globally, Delta has worked to establish strong partnerships with key airlines across the globe to ensure the integrity of the airline's global network. The airline has embraced a strategic fleet delivery plan that combines both new and used aircraft. Last year, Delta purchased the Trainer oil refinery to control Delta's fuel costs.
Earlier this month and as part of a comprehensive five-year financial plan, Delta announced a capital deployment program aimed at creating up to $5 billion of value for shareholders, including returning more than $1 billion to shareholders over the next three years. Over the next five years, the company plans to reinvest more than $2 billion annually into improving the company's fleet, facilities, products and technology. In addition to returning cash to shareholders, Delta's free cash flow will be used to further reduce the company's debt and opportunistically address longer-term pension funding obligations.
Delta in New York
Delta Air Lines is New York City's largest and fastest-growing carrier, providing service to more destinations from New York State than any other airline. In addition to the enhancements at JFK, Delta is investing more than $160 million to expand and update Terminals C and D at LaGuardia. The unique Delta Shuttle product offers hourly service to Boston, Chicago (O'Hare) and Washington, D.C. Delta's three New York metropolitan-area airports carried 23.1 million domestic and international passengers in 2012, up from 20.8 million passengers in 2011. Delta and its nearly 9,000 New York-based employees are part of the fabric of the New York community. Delta is the official airline of the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Rangers, Madison Square Garden, Food Bank for New York City, New York Wine and Food and AmFar among many others.
About Delta
Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. Delta was named by Fortune magazine as the most admired airline worldwide in its 2013 World's Most Admired Companies airline industry list, topping the list for the second time in three years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 317 destinations in 58 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs nearly 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. Delta is investing more than $3 billion in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Additional information is available on delta.com, Twitter @Delta, Google.com/+Delta and Facebook.com/delta.
SOURCE Delta Air Lines
