Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) unveiled its new international arrivals facility at
Newark International Airport that houses customs, immigrations and other
government services dedicated for the exclusive use by Continental's arriving
international customers. The new $80 million facility is the last major milestone
in $1.4 billion of customer improvements that has transformed Continental's
Newark/New York hub into the premier airport in the region.
"Continental has worked closely with government officials to ensure that
this new international arrivals facility was designed to effectively
accommodate the specific needs of our international travelers as well as
provide a favorable first impression for arriving overseas visitors," said
Gordon Bethune, Continental's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"Its opening marks a significant
milestone in making Continental Airlines the premier carrier and Newark International Airport the most convenient U.S.
gateway for international travel."
On a typical day at Newark International Airport, Continental alone has
approximately 5,500 customers arriving on 37 international flights. The
Boeing 737, 757, 767 and 777 aircrafts arrive from Europe, the Middle
East, Latin America and Asia.
New International Arrivals Facility
The new international arrivals facility features customs and immigrations
offices designed to quickly accommodate arriving international customers
including:
* Spacious, 120,000 square-foot three-level
facility connected to the new C-3 Concourse by a 1,200 foot-long glass
enclosed corridor with moving walkways on the third level. The glass
corridor overlooks the new C-3 Concourse and has views of the city.
* 28 immigration processing stations,
increasing the airport's total capacity by 50 percent.
* Ability to process 1,500 customers per hour,
equivalent to a full 777 aircraft arriving every 12 minutes.
* An open and spacious Customs hall with
28-foot ceilings and four clerestory window areas.
* Four baggage claim carousels, each with 250
feet of luggage space.
* 5,000 square-foot baggage re-check area just
outside customs allowing for convenient connections to other Continental
flights.
* 40,000 square-feet of office space for five
federal agencies - INS, Customs, Agriculture, Public Health and Fish &
Wildlife.
With its convenient location in the C-3 Concourse, international customers
are able to clear customs and make domestic flight connections without
having to change terminals. A separate, sterile walkway leads international
customers arriving at the C-3 Concourse through an elevated glass corridor
to the new arrivals facility. The facility, which augments international
arrivals at Terminal B, is expected to commence operations on April 2.
Previously, all international arrivals at Newark were processed through a
single customs and immigration facility at Terminal B. Customers were
transported by monorail between international arrivals at Terminal B to
connecting domestic flights at Terminal C. The international arrivals
facility at Terminal B will remain open and will continue to be shared by
all airlines.
"We are proud to work in partnership with Continental Airlines to invest in
our state's future," said New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey. "The
opening of the new International Arrivals Facility only cements their
already solid reputation in New Jersey. The completion of the Global
Gateway Project was made possible by an unprecedented level of
public/private co-operation and I commend Continental for their longstanding
commitment to improving the quality of all our lives."
"This new international arrivals area, with its eye-catching design and
focus on customer convenience, embodies the spirit of a Global Gateway,"
said Port Authority Executive Director Joseph J. Seymour. "Through its
portals will pass travelers from every corner of the globe, drawn by the
unequaled opportunities our region offers for business, tourism or just
plain relaxing at a beach or a Broadway show."
The opening of the new international arrivals facility follows Continental's
recent addition of a third concourse in Terminal C and related improvements
to the main Terminal C building, along with sweeping improvements made by
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey throughout Newark
International Airport and inauguration of direct train service between the
airport and mid-town Manhattan.
Continental is New York's largest passenger carrier, flying more
than 20 million customers a year in and out of the region. With more than
310 daily departures from Newark alone, Continental accounts for more than
60 percent of the airport's flights. Continental flies from Newark to 118
domestic and international cities, including frequent non-stops to Europe,
Latin America and Asia. |