NEWS
Aviation

138-98: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , October 5, 1998

PORT AUTHORITY AND DELTA AIR LINES CELEBRATE JFK 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE


Officials of Delta Air Lines and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today marked the 50th anniversary year of John F. Kennedy International Airport with a champagne toast and two round-trip flights by a restored 1929 Travel Air monoplane. The five-passenger aircraft, which travels at 90 miles per hour, is similar to the one used in Delta's first passenger flight, on June 17 of that year.

"A little bit of history flew into JFK today," said Robert J. Kelly, the Port Authority's Director of Aviation. "It serves as a striking reminder both of JFK's colorful history and our partnership of over 40 years with Delta Air Lines. We are very proud of JFK's remarkable growth over the past 50 years, and excited by its boundless potential."

The two 40-minute flights were followed by a luncheon featuring selections from Delta's trans-Atlantic first class menu and its award-winning "Vinum" wine program. The luncheon took place in Terminal 3, also known as the Delta Worldport, from which the airline operates flights to 17 trans-Atlantic destinations. Delta also operates the airport's Terminal 2.

Kennedy Airport is in the midst of a massive redevelopment program that entails public and private investment of some $7 billion to build and expand terminals, improve roadways for better traffic flow and construct a light rail system, called Airtrain, linking the airport's passenger terminals with the region's commuter rail and subway system.

Virtually every terminal at the airport is being rebuilt or expanded. A new Terminal 1 - the first new passenger terminal at JFK in more than 25 years - opened in May. A new Terminal 4 is under construction, to replace the International Arrivals Building. And American Airlines, Delta and British Airways are expanding and modernizing their facilities.

Kennedy Airport handled a record 31.4 million passengers last year. Its 17.4 million international passengers were the most of any airport in the U.S.

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