Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today
opened a new, state-of-the-art cargo handling facility at JFK International
Airport in New York City. The new $25 million facility, which will improve
cargo handling and expedite shipments of all kinds, combines freight
operations that were previously housed in two separate buildings.
"JFK is one of the busiest cargo ports in the world. As one of the
largest facilities in our system, this new operation will significantly
boost the volume of freight we can handle," said Continental Airlines Cargo
V.P. Jack Boisen. "One key feature, that will cut air pollution and increase
freight handling efficiency, is the Ball Mat system. Floor-level rollers
will allow us to move containerized cargo without forklifts."
Mr. Boisen introduced Continental Airlines President Larry Kellner, who
addressed those in attendance at the ribbon-cutting. Port Authority Director of
Aviation William R. DeCota, who also attended today's ceremony, said,
"Continental's state-of-the-art cargo facility is the latest achievement in our
public-private partnership that is creating nearly 2 million square feet of new
cargo space at JFK. These new facilities will ensure Kennedy Airport's dominant
ole in the world's air cargo industry for decades to come."
Twelve daily, round-trip "truck flights" between the new cargo facility and
the airline's Newark hub tie the JFK operation into Continental's extensive
Asian, European, Latin American and transcontinental network.
Continental's JFK cargo operation features more than 54,000 square feet of
cargo handling area as well as 8,500 square feet of office space for 100
employees. Approximately 23,000 square feet of paved areas for truck
staging and customer parking will minimize traffic congestion as customers
drop-off or pick-up shipments.
In 2001, Continental cargo and mail operations produced revenue of $315
million and the airline flew cargo totaling 914 million revenue ton miles.
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