New York, NY (August 8, 2003)—JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) today broke ground at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for the 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 accommodate 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. The project team for the design and construction is comprised of Turner Construction and HOK Architects. Representing JetBlue as Owner`s Representatives overseeing the project are Tishman Construction Corporation and McClier.
“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.
JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. JetBlue operates a fleet of 45 new Airbus A320 aircraft and is scheduled to place into service another eight A320s by the end of 2003. The airline recently placed an order for 100 EMBRAER 190 aircraft with options for an additional 100. The first EMBRAER 190 is scheduled to be delivered from mid 2005. All JetBlue aircraft feature roomy all-leather seats each equipped with free live satellite television, offering up to 24 channels of DIRECTV® Programming at every seat.*
From its base at New York City`s John F. Kennedy International Airport, JetBlue flies to: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, FL; Long Beach, Oakland, Ontario, and San Diego, CA; Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, NY; Burlington, VT; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; New Orleans, LA; Salt Lake City, UT; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Seattle, WA. From Washington DC, the airline serves Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Long Beach and Oakland, CA. From Long Beach, CA, the airline serves Atlanta, GA, Oakland, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Fort Lauderdale, FL and Salt Lake City, UT. On September 8, JetBlue will add daily service between Atlanta, GA and Oakland, CA.
With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and a Saturday night stay is never required. For more information, schedules and fares, please visit www.jetblue.com or call JetBlue reservations at 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583). This press release, as well as past press releases, can be found on www.jetblue.com.
——-