United Airlines Extends Newark Agreement

United Airlines and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey have signed a 20-year lease extension through which United will maintain its significant presence at Newark Liberty International Airport and make further investments to ensure the airport remains one of the country’s premier global gateways.

United and the United Express carriers will continue their exclusive use of Terminal C and will continue to operate flights at Terminals A and B. Additionally, the airline will invest $150 million in ongoing improvements throughout the term of the lease. While Terminal C is already one of the nation’s most modern international terminals, United will further develop its concourse areas and improve baggage handling.

“As the largest airline in New Jersey and New York and one of Newark’s largest employers, United is committed to Newark Liberty as a model of customer service, convenience and efficiency,” said Jeff Smisek, United chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our partnership with the Port Authority and the investments United will make will ensure Liberty’s place as the region’s leading domestic and international airport for decades to come.”

From Newark Liberty, United offers more than 400 flights daily to more than 150 destinations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The airline also has more than 13,000 Newark-based employees.

“Thanks to the Port Authority's strong partnership with United, Newark Liberty has become not only a world-class airport but also an important driver of economic growth, jobs and development for the entire region,” said Port Authority Chairman David Samson. “The continued investment in Newark Liberty's facilities will ensure that the airport, and Terminal C specifically, remains a modern, premier gateway for travelers.”

United Investments at Newark Hub

Since 1981, United and its predecessor carriers with Newark hubs – Continental and People Express – have built on a commitment nearly three decades old to expand and modernize Newark Liberty and establish a hub operation that would attract passenger revenue and economic growth to the region.

In 1985, People Express joined with the Port Authority to complete the construction of Terminal C, a project which Continental acquired following its 1987 merger with People Express.

In 2001, Continental’s Global Gateway initiative, a $3.8 billion public-private partnership, brought new AirTrain rail connections – the New York area’s only on-airport rail connection with direct access to New York’s Penn Station and the northeast corridor – along with new roadways, parking garages, expanded electronic ticketing facilities, new terminal designs to facilitate more efficient security screening and an automated baggage handling system.

Since 2010, United has invested in its facilities at Liberty to improve customer service and co-worker experience.

The airline broke ground in January 2013 on a new widebody maintenance hangar at Liberty, a $35 million investment that economic development officials say will create 200 jobs and generate $12 million in wages and $52 million in economic activity before its completion, scheduled for year-end.

United continues to work in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration on a $100 million “in-line” baggage-screening system that, upon completion by year-end, will speed the movement of checked bags between the check-in counter and United aircraft.

The airline also is designing a new $65 million catering facility at Liberty.

United’s Airport Facility Improvements

United and its airport partners are investing more than $1 billion in improvements to United’s airport facilities worldwide.

In addition to the widebody maintenance hangar under construction at Liberty, United broke ground in October 2012 on a $45 million widebody maintenance facility at Washington Dulles International Airport, a major United hub and gateway to Europe and the Middle East.

At Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where later this month United will open the first phase of an extensive terminal renovation project, the airline is redesigning the seat layout in the gate areas, offering electric power at nearly two-thirds of the seats and space for carry-on baggage. The airline is similarly retrofitting its gate areas in Terminal 2 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport later in 2013. Approximately one-third of United and United Express flights operate to and from Houston Bush and Chicago O’Hare.

United Club Lounges

On 21 December 2012, United unveiled its new airport lounge concept with the grand reopening of the airline’s United Club lounge in Terminal 2 at Chicago O’Hare Airport. The 13,300 square foot United Club features a completely redesigned interior that reflects elements of flight and travel. United has outfitted the club with an expansive bar and lounge area, dynamic lighting, redesigned furniture and additional workstations and power outlets.

The airline is spending more than $50 million in 2013 to renovate several of the its 51 United Club locations.

Co-worker Breakrooms

United is also investing in facilities for co-workers to offer them more comfort during breaks. The airline anticipates completing in May an extensive renovation of breakrooms at Washington Dulles for co-workers in customer service, ramp operations and technical operations. The renovations include new furniture, appliances and durable flooring and wall coverings. United plans to begin similar renovations this year at Chicago O’Hare and later at its other U.S. hub airports.