Continental Seeks Swap Of Lax, United Newark Gates
<B> Continental Seeks Swap Of Lax, United Newark Gates</B>
By David Jonas
While Continental and the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey mull a possible expansion for Newark International Airport's Terminal C, the carrier is negotiating a gate exchange with United. The trade, if agreed upon by all parties, will provide Continental with gates in Newark's Terminal A and United with more space at LAX.
"We are looking to swap real estate at LAX that they're interested in for five gates at Newark," said Wayne Herndon, Continental's director of corporate real estate. He added that there are many remaining steps in the approval process and Continental is not certain which product will move into Terminal A if the space is obtained, although he hinted that Latin American service or "shuttle-type markets" are likely candidates.
Should Continental gain ground in Terminal A, it would have a presence in all the airport's three terminals, including codeshared flights with Virgin in Terminal B. However, despite solidifying its hub, the carrier does have some concerns. Operating out of all three terminals is potentially confusing for passengers and could strain intra-airport monorail traffic. "We have to determine which mix of passengers we would be accommodating," said Curt Bourg, the carrier's city vice president in New York. "Connecting passengers versus a local product is a factor we need to consider carefully."
At the same time, Continental has plans for its existing Newark building. It is exploring the idea of adding a third concourse to Terminal C, the only terminal at the airport with only two. The Port Authority is expected to make a decision later this year.
In the meantime, work is set to begin Jan. 1 on new concession areas, improved bathrooms and other areas of Terminal C as the concourses are transformed into more of a mall environment. "Passengers will be seeing some 'Pardon Our Dust' signs, but there should be no interference with normal operations," Bourg said.
In addition, travelers soon will have a cheap and convenient link between midtown Manhattan and Newark as the airport's existing monorail--which services the passenger terminals and parking areas--is extended to connect with the Northeast rail corridor.
The rail extension will connect at the Waverly Yards station where New Jersey Transit customers from Manhattan and Amtrak customers throughout the Northeast can transfer to the monorail and ride to the airport for $5. The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey estimated total trip time from midtown to the terminals to be about 20 minutes.
The project, which is being undertaken by the Port Authority, the State of New Jersey and NJ Transit, has a $415 million price tag and will start carrying passengers in 2001. However, work will continue into 2003 as passenger ticketing and baggage handling areas are added at the transfer station.
Currently, foundation work is underway and there are no expected traffic delays during the duration of the construction. The Port Authority anticipates 8,000 daily and three million annual air passengers will use the new spur.
Hartz Mountain Industries of Secaucus, N.J., reportedly will build a convention/hotel facility adjacent to the new Waverly Yards transfer station (<I>BTN,</I> Sept. 7). Though the real estate developer intends to start construction in the spring and open by the time the monorail extension is completed, no hotel chain has committed to the project.
The existing intra-airport monorail system serves about 25,000 people daily and the feedback has been extremely positive. "People have been saying that it's incredibly convenient, particularly those dropped off at the airport, using valet service or returning a rental car," said Bill Cahill, spokesman for the Port Authority. Those people use Station E, near the main entrance, which eliminates any hassles of navigating the airport.
Meanwhile, the airport's Terminal A is undergoing a $100 million improvement to enhance lighting and speed baggage handling. New ticket counters and loading bridges also will be constructed. Several of the airlines--including Air Canada, Continental and US Airways--will help foot the bill in order to improve corridors connecting their gate areas.