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American Airlines, which is in the midst of building a new $1.3 billion, 55-gate terminal at New York's Kennedy International Airport, today begins daily nonstop service between JFK and Narita Airports.
Tokyo is American's 19th international destination from JFK and the 41st nonstop destination. The airline will fly the route with the 223-seat Boeing 777, its newest international aircraft with the longest range in its fleet. The 777 also features More Room Throughout Coach for all coach passengers.
"American is deeply committed to the New York market and has wanted to fly the Kennedy-Tokyo route for a long time," said Henry Joyner, American’s senior vice president – Planning. "This service will enhance our route system and it also will strengthen our entire global network, especially thanks to our partnerships with JAL, Cathay Pacific and other carriers in the Far East."
"New York, which has an enormous business and leisure market, is Tokyo’s Sister City. Those ties form a solid foundation upon which to base our new service," Joyner added. "We believe this new route can help bring our two countries closer together, encouraging both commerce and the exchange of ideas and cultures."
In conjunction with the inaugural of the service, plans are being developed for a high-level trade mission of key state and local civic and government leaders to promote tourism, trade and business development.
American currently operates nonstop flights to Tokyo from Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Jose, Calif. It has offered service to Japan for 15 years. American also has been a part of the New York community since the 1920s.
American has advanced the first construction phase of the JFK terminal project by six months, and the entire project by nine months. This means that phase two, a mid-field concourse with 17 gates now under construction, will be completed in June 2003, instead of December 2003. The entire project, with 2.2 million-square-feet of space in three concourses on three levels, should be completed by September 2006.
When it's finished, the new terminal will be the largest and most advanced at JFK with 55 gates for jets and commuter aircraft. Its main passenger check-in area will be large enough to hold Giants Stadium, and there will be a new international arrivals facility capable of handling more than 2,400 passengers an hour. Overall, the building will accommodate 14 million passengers per year.
"Besides the new terminal, we are looking forward to the creation of a one-stop train ride from Manhattan to JFK. Other great cities of the world have rapid rail connections from the city center to international airports," Joyner said. "Even the rather convoluted train connection through Newark’ s Penn Station en route to Newark Airport draws travelers. We urge all parties involved to reinvigorate their efforts to make one-stop service from Midtown to JFK a reality."
In recognition of its new flight between New York and Tokyo, American Airlines is offering bonus AAdvantage miles. For discounted economy, First, Business or Full-Coach tickets, travelers who register for the promotion online or by using AAdvantage Dial-In will have the opportunity to earn 5,000 bonus miles for each round trip flown for up to three round trips. This offer is good through May 31, 2002. |
