JetBlue Unveils Huge New Maintenance Facility
JetBlue Airways Friday broke ground
at John F. Kennedy International Airport (NY) for construction of a
new aircraft maintenance hangar and technical support office.
The complex will encompass a 70,000 square foot maintenance
hangar, capable of accommodating three A320 aircraft, and a
two-story 32,000 square foot office facility which will be a
stopping point for more than 400 crew members from the airline's
technical support operations. It is expected to be completed by
December 2004 at a cost of $45 million.
"These are exciting
times for JetBlue," said Dave Barger, President and COO of JetBlue
Airways. "With these new facilities, our technical operations crew
will have the space and resources they need to efficiently handle
our maintenance operations as we continue to grow and solidify our
great future in New York."
New York Governor George E. Pataki said, "This is good news for
New York and JetBlue on several fronts. The project will provide
jobs, build upon JFK's ongoing renaissance, and ensure that upstate
New York and the rest of the nation will continue to enjoy
low-fare, high-quality service from New York City's hometown
airline."
"JetBlue's stunning success in a depressed business environment
is yielding benefits to Kennedy airport for consumers and my
constituents who earn their livelihood at JFK," said U.S.
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks whose district includes JFK Airport.
"As New York City's only low-fare hometown airline, JetBlue has set
new standards for excellence that continue to reinvigorate the
airline industry."
Joseph J. Seymour, Executive Director of the Port Authority of
NY & NJ, which operates John F. Kennedy International Airport,
said, "The Port Authority's support of this project -- part of a
multibillion-dollar, public-private redevelopment program at
Kennedy Airport -- underscores the agency's commitment to commerce
and industry and will encourage growth in business and leisure
travel. We applaud JetBlue for investing their resources at
JFK."
"JetBlue is a tremendous New York
City success story," said Andrew M. Alper, President, New York City
Economic Development Corporation. "With its formula of low fares
and quality service, JetBlue is growing and prospering while other
airlines are struggling. On behalf of Mayor Bloomberg, I
congratulate JetBlue and welcome this new facility to JFK. I am
pleased that NYCEDC could play a role in making possible this
important project, which will provide quality jobs for over 200
people, in addition to the more than 2,800 workers the airline
already has in the City."
"This $45 million project signifies JetBlue's commitment to the
people of Queens and the City of New York. It will not only improve
JetBlue's air travel service, but also provide jobs for residents
of Queens," said Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President.