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.

FMI: www.jetblue.com