Plan aims to relieve congestion at JFK, Newark, LaGuardia and Teterboro Airports, and Create Capacity for Future Passenger Traffic Growth.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's board voted to buy the Stewart Airport Lease from Britain's National Express Corp. for $78.5 million, the Mid-Hudson News Service reported. The Port Authority Board of Commissioners stated that this is a major step toward reducing congestion at the metropolitan area airports and preparing for the anticipated growth in air travel by authorizing the purchase of the operating lease. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's board will vote Thursday to buy the lease from Britain's National Express Corp. for $78.5 million, the Mid-

Hudson News Service reported. Port Authority Executive Director Anthony E. Shorris said, “Through a measured program of significant investments, the Port Authority will be able to transform Stewart Airport. We can turn that sleepy,

Airport Lounges take new approach to gaining passenger approval
It is accepted by many travelers that one of the worst elements of air travel today is the airport "experience", and in many respects what was once a battle for supremacy of the skies as airlines sought to attract passengers has turned into more tactical movements and changes being directed at the ground experience. At the front end of the aircraft, these

changes have largely been targeted at First and Business class passengers. Complementary chauffeur services to and from the airport, exclusive, segregated check-in facilities, fast-track immigration and security clearance, priority boarding and deplaning, faster baggage clearance - oh, and of course the airline lounge facilities. Gone are the days when an airline lounge could offer a self-serve beverage counter, some newspapers, peanuts and biscuits. At least amongst the worlds' leading airlines that is a situation where quality standards have moved a long way in recent years. Cathay Pacific took advantage of it's move to the new Hong Kong Int'l Airport in 1998 to create First and Business class lounge standards that were to become the quality benchmark of the time - their lounge The Wing being the recipient of many Awards in the past 8 years. As with any industry, the competition looked on with envy for some time before creating lounge facilities that not only rivaled Cathay Pacific, but took quality leadership one step further. British Airways installed Molton Brown spa facilities in their London Heathrow and New York lounges - Emirates extended and improved facilities in their Dubai Int'l Airport lounges, together with an ambitious program of opening their own lounge facilities across their key network airports - Virgin Atlantic opened their new Clubhouse facility at London's Heathrow airport offering a spa pool, a multi-screen style cinema and a hair salon. Gulf Air opened a top quality First / Business class lounge facility at its home base in Bahrain. In Asia, Malaysia Airlines used the opportunity of its move to the new KLIA Airport to create luxury lounge facilities, as did Asiana Airlines at the new Seoul Incheon Airport - the spur of a new airport...

In December, Royal Waste Services Inc. presented a check for $3,000 to York College, a contribution which will extend internship opportunities for ten students at the CUNY Aviation Institute at York College. This donation also compliments Bombardier Transportation generous offer of ten unpaid internships at the Air Tran facility that services JFK International Airport. The stipend donated by Royal Waste Services Inc. and Bombardier Transportation will afford students the experience of participation in organizational planning and operational procedures, research and design of Customer Service initiatives, and the

scheduling and tracking corrective/preventive maintenance. Royal Waste Services has played a significant role in the Airport’s and surrounding communities for many years. Michael Reali & Joseph Morra said “It is an honor and privilege to be able to give students in the community a chance to gain a workplace experience, that will further their education, as they focus on careers in aviation”.

Annual JFK Chamber of Commerce Card Exchange held at JFK/IAT Terminal 4.

Left to right: Guest Speaker Medhi Hassan, Branch Manager, Citibank JFK; Guest speaker Alain Maca, President, JFK/IAT; Bruce Abbate, President, JFK Chamber of Commerce.

The following gathered for the annual volunteer appreciation luncheon recognizing the time, dedication and service the more than 80 volunteers provide at JFK. Travelers Aid, a program funded by the Port Authority partners with Volunteers of America to provide assistance to passengers who are stranded and without a home. A subsidiary of Travelers Aid International, there are 25 airport programs, including Puerto Rico, Canada and Australia.

JFKIAT and the Airport Chaplains hosted the annual New Year's Celebration event at Terminal 4 for over 250 people from the JFK airport community on January 10th, 2007.