NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and JFK International Air Terminal LLC (JFKIAT) today unveiled the next phase of a Terminal 4 expansion at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The $175 million project adds 11 gates and 75,000 square feet to Terminal 4's Concourse B and continues Delta's $1.2 billion investment to enhance and expand the terminal.
"The newest enhancements at Terminal 4 underscore the significant investment Delta is making in New York City's airports—nearly $2 billion over the last six years," said Ed Bastian, Delta's president. "Our customers and employees are benefitting from substantial enhancements to our JFK operations, and we thank our partners at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFKIAT for working with Delta to create a world-class facility that meets—and, we believe, exceeds—the expectations of today's modern travelers."
Through this latest investment, Delta is significantly enhancing the customer experience at Terminal 4 and Terminal 2 by relocating a majority of its Delta Connection flights at JFK from Terminal 2 to the expanded Concourse B in Terminal 4. This will streamline travel for those with connecting flights at JFK and enhance access to amenities at both terminals.
"Delta's Terminal 4 at JFK is a world-class entrance to the Big Apple, and with 11 brand-new gates and more area in the B Concourse, this expansion will further enhance visitors' first impressions of this great city," said Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) "I applaud Delta for investing in this nearly $200 million job-creating expansion project, as well as the Port Authority and JFKIAT for their hard work in making this project a reality."
The new gates at Terminal 4 will feature enclosed jet bridges and offer customers proximity to a flagship Sky Club and chef-driven restaurants. The expansion also facilitates intra-terminal connections with the addition of a new JFK Jitney bus stop at the end of Concourse B in Terminal 4 near the new gates. This will complement the existing stops located by gate B18 at the base of Concourse B in Terminal 4 and by gate C60 at Terminal 2.
"The Port Authority and our airline partners are committed to continuing our initiatives to transform and modernize JFK Airport into a world-class facility befitting the hundreds of thousands of people who fly in and out of our region each day," said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. "We applaud Delta's investment in New York City's airports to modernize and expand its terminal operations, and we will continue to work with all of our stakeholders to make sure JFK continues to serve as a premier source of job creation and economic activity."
As a result of the expansion at Terminal 4, Delta customers at Terminal 2 will also enjoy an improved experience, as all Delta flights that will continue to operate there will use climate-controlled jet bridges. Customers will also have access to a renovated Sky Club, convenient iPad stations and a chef-driven food and beverage program featuring seven food and beverage concepts, fresh markets, coffee shops and concierge services. In Q2 2015, the Terminal 2 bus stop will be refreshed, with escalators and elevators installed.
"Delta's ongoing investment at JFK helps ensure that Queens, New York, is the home of the world-class air travel experience that tens of millions of travelers expect and deserve," said Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.). "This state-of-the-art expansion adds a welcome new dimension to JFK's goal of delivering a modern, safe and enjoyable gateway for travel around the globe."
"We applaud Delta's continued commitment to one of the world's busiest airports, which is also part of our own neighborhood in the city we're proud to call home," said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.
The expanded Terminal 4—which JFKIAT has successfully operated for more than a decade—improves the customer experience for the 12 million passengers Delta serves at JFK annually. It also builds on Delta's $1.2 billion redevelopment of Terminal 4, which opened in May 2013. That expansion featured nine new and seven renovated international gates; improved and renovated check-in areas, including a dedicated Sky Priority check-in area; a centralized security checkpoint; new dining and retail offerings; a new 24,000 square-foot flagship Delta Sky Club with the first-ever Sky Deck outdoor terrace; dual taxiways for less congestion and shorter taxi times; and improved Customs and Border Protection and baggage claim facilities.
"JFKIAT is pleased to join Delta to unveil the latest expansion at JFK Terminal 4," said Gert-Jan de Graaff, president and CEO, JFKIAT. "We applaud the company's commitment to develop an infrastructure at JFK that truly caters to the modern traveler."
"Delta's investments at JFK will increase capacity and improve the experience of millions of visitors—both of which will positively impact the city's economy," said Kyle Kimball, president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. "We congratulate Delta, JFKIAT and the Port Authority on today's expansion and look forward to their continued progress at the city's airports."
Over the last six years, Delta has invested nearly $2 billion in New York City's airports, leading the way in improving the traveler experience by bringing state-of-the-art technology, award-winning chefs and exceptional customer service to New York passengers.
About Delta in New York
Delta Air Lines is New York City's largest and fastest-growing carrier with 460 peak-day departures to more than 110 destinations worldwide from its hubs at New York's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport – including more destinations from New York State than any other airline as well as nonstop service to five continents. Delta's Terminal 4 at JFK, a $1.2 billion state-of-the-art international gateway, opened in May 2013; a $175 million second-phase extension of 11 new gates opened in January 2015. The airline has also invested more than $160 million to expand and update Terminals C and D at LaGuardia. Product investments include flat-bed seats in the premium cabin on all widebody international flights as well as on eight daily flights between New York-JFK and Los Angeles International Airport. Aircraft with flat-bed seats will be introduced on flights between New York-JFK and San Francisco by summer 2015. Additionally, the unique Delta Shuttle product offers the only hourly service from New York-LGA to Boston, Chicago O'Hare and Washington D.C. Delta's three metropolitan-area airports carried 23.6 million domestic and international passengers in 2013, up from 22.1 million passengers in 2012. Delta and its nearly 10,000 New York-based employees are part of the fabric of the New York community, acting as 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 170 million customers each year. Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for four consecutive years, a first for any airline. Additionally, Delta was named the 2014 Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine and was named to FORTUNE magazine's top 50 Most Admired Companies in addition to being named the most admired airline for the third time in four years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 327 destinations in 59 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 as well as a newly formed joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, 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, Facebook.com/delta and Delta's blog takingoff.delta.com.
About JFKIAT
JFKIAT, LLC is the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the most active air terminals in the New York area, serving 31 international and domestic airlines with an annual passenger volume of more than 17.1 million travelers in 2014. With an expansion completed in 2014, passengers traveling through Terminal 4 can visit an outstanding selection of new and upgraded restaurants and bars, including world-class eateries, well-known casual dining, healthy options, and food-to-go. Terminal 4's expansive shopping mall offers an unparalleled shopping experience for travelers with a wide range of retail options including upscale boutiques, convenience stores, electronics, accessories and gifts. Terminal 4 is the only air terminal in North America operated by a private management company. JFKIAT, LLC is owned by Schiphol USA Inc., a U.S. affiliate of Schiphol Group. Visit us at www.jfkiat.com.
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SOURCE Delta Air Lines