NEWARK, N.J. -- Continental Airlines opened its expanded concourse
at Newark Airport on Dec. 6 as the centerpiece of $1.4 billion in
improvements under the facility's Global Gateway Project.
The project at Terminal C, dubbed C-3, includes 19 new gates,
raising the terminal's total number of gates to 58.
Concourse C-3 features wide walkways and large seating areas as
well as natural light from skylights along the length of the
structure. Concessions will bear such brand names as DKNY, Kenneth
Cole and Borders Express in addition to an international food
court.
The new international arrivals capacity at Concourse C-3
supplements international arrivals at Terminal B. An elevated,
glass-encased walkway on C-3 will lead travelers to a new customs
and immigrations building, which is slated for completion by early
2002.
"This expansion ensures that the airport will continue to meet
the needs of our customers for many years to come," said
Continental's chairman and chief executive officer, Gordon
Bethune.
Also under the Global Gateway Program at Newark are airportwide
improvements being made by the Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey that will bring the total value of the project to $3.8
billion.
Among these are the addition of two enclosed parking facilities
with space for 6,600 cars. Also included is an expanded and
improved system of terminal access roadways to facilitate traffic
volume.
Modern cargo, ground maintenance and aircraft hangar facilities
also will be constructed at the airport.
Breakdown of Terminal C
NEWARK, N.J. -- Terminal C's main structure, formerly a
two-level facility, has been converted into the following three
levels:
• Upper-level Departures. Formerly the domestic and
international check-in level, this section will be used mainly for
international check-in.
• Midlevel Departures. This area, formerly the baggage claim
level, will be used mainly for domestic check-in.
• Lower-level Arrivals: This new space houses nine baggage
carousels and ground transportation facilities for arriving
passengers.
Throughout the midlevel, Continental installed 72 hybrid
check-in stations, which include a touch-screen eService Center for
e-ticket customers, and a full-service agent position for
traditional check-in.
Improvements to the main terminal building connecting Terminal
C's three concourses include a curved corridor with walls made of
windows that offer views of the terminal operations area.
Travelers will now find Continental's largest Presidents Club
lounge between concourses C-2 and C-3. In addition, Continental
opened a Presidents Club lounge in Terminal A for travelers flying
to Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth.
Behind the scenes, the carrier installed a baggage sorting
facility that is capable of serving the entire terminal. The new
sorting facility replaces an older system, which was designed for
an airport serving point-to-point travelers rather than for a major
international connecting hub.