Author: Metropolitan Airport News
Metropolitan Airport News
Produced by a team of aviation professionals and enthusiasts, our mission is to inform and update the more than 68,000 employees who work on the metropolitan New York airport properties, as well as the many others that provide goods and services in the surrounding communities.
Sad news today: one of the ‘greats’ of aviation has died. Herb Kelleher, founder of the low-cost carrier business – more specifically Southwest Airlines – was the Fred Smith of cheap travel. Herb Kelleher, New Jersey born and bred, received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan and his law degree from New York University. He practiced law on the East Coast before relocating to Texas with plans to start his own law firm. In 1967, Herb Kelleher and client Rollin King incorporated Air Southwest, Inc., with the idea of offering low-fare, intra-Texas airline service. After a name change and many legal…
As part of an aggressive effort to enhance its environmental sustainability programs, the Port Authority is adding 18 new all-electric buses to its three major airports within the next six months to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. It is the first step in eventually replacing all 36 current diesel regular shuttle buses over the next 2-3 years. The first six all-electric buses have been delivered and are in service at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Six buses have been delivered to Newark Liberty and are scheduled to be in operation early next year, while another six vehicles…
UPS has purchased an industrial site in Brooklyn that it had leased just last year, and will likely be the site of a new distribution center. The word “likely” is key here because this may well be UPS’s preliminary move into a head to head competitive battle with Amazon. And of course, the UPS logistics and distribution system is firmly in place. They would need to build a platform that clients would use for e-commerce linkage and delivery. After leasing the property for a year and a half, UPS decided to contract for an outright purchase from Sitex Group.…
There is no doubt the holiday season is one of the busiest and most stressful travel times of the year. The airports are crowded, the delays are frustrating, and travelers are stressed about getting from point A to point B with gifts in hand. This year, POPEYES is launching “Emotional Support Chicken” to provide a good-hearted laugh most need to get through stressful holiday air travel. Starting Tuesday, December 18, travelers passing through Philadelphia International Airport can purchase their fried chicken meal with an “Emotional Support Chicken” carrier at the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in Terminal C to bring with them on their flight. Emotional…
The Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved the selection of Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI) to operate and maintain the new $2.7-billion Terminal One, which is replacing outmoded Terminal A as part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to a world-class Newark Liberty International Airport. The board vote authorizes MAI, beginning in 2019, to manage operations, maintenance and concessions functions in the existing Terminal A, where it also will make short-term customer enhancements until the terminal’s closure. MAI then will operate the new Terminal One as part of a 15-year agreement. MAI is a subsidiary of Flughafen München GmbH (FMG), which…
United Airlines (UAL) today announced Pam Hendry has been named vice president and treasurer. Hendry will be responsible for Corporate Finance, Treasury Operations and Risk Management. Hendry is a senior aviation finance executive who has an extensive background in cost-effectively financing aircraft. She spent the majority of her career at International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) where, among other roles, she served as senior vice president and treasurer. “Pam is well known and respected throughout the aircraft finance community. With her reputation as a strong leader and her deep industry knowledge she will be a great addition to the United team,”…
dnata today announced that it had completed the acquisition of New York-headquartered inflight and VIP caterer, 121 Inflight Catering. The acquisition allows dnata to significantly expand its operations in the United States, further strengthening its global network of catering businesses. Founded in 2007, 121 Inflight Catering offers premium catering services to commercial airlines and private jets from its facilities at New York JFK and Nashville International Airport. Employing a dedicated team of more than 350 highly-skilled culinary professionals, 121 Inflight Catering serves 21 international airlines and hundreds of private aviation customers. Over the past year dnata has invested significantly in…
Jean-Georges meets the Jet Age. World-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will premiere the Paris Café restaurant at the 512-room TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport, opening in spring 2019. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and cocktails at a medium price point. Located in the heart of the iconic 1962 Eero Saarinen-designed TWA terminal, the Paris Café by Jean-Georges will encompass the entire footprint of the terminal’s original Paris Café and Lisbon Lounge, which have been dark since 2001. The spaces were originally outfitted by famed Parisian industrial designer Raymond Loewy — the mind behind the 1955…
America’s beloved and most famous literary icon, Mark Twain is the latest hero to join Norwegian’s growing roster of historic figures showcased on its tailfin. Renowned the world-over for his novels including “Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Twain’s literary works remain timeless classics still enjoyed today. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835, he took on the pseudonym ‘Mark Twain’ during his time as a river pilot, which is a river term for ‘it’s safe to navigate.’ Twain established himself as writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher and lecturer in his lifetime and was an avid world traveler. He…
Each year, members from KAAMCO’s Cargo Committee Board (an association of station managers of all scheduled airlines operating into and out of JFK International Airport) get together to nominate employees within the industry for its Person of the Year award, which highlights the relentless efforts of one individual. The recipient is diligent in their work, hands-on in their leadership, and represents all that the airline cargo industry is about: quality service. This year’s honoree, Richard Burkhardt, General Manager of Cargo Operations for American Airlines Cargo, covered all those areas and more. “A well-deserving candidate, Rich shows a devotion to the…