NEWS |
151-99: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , December 21, 1999
"We want to encourage our customers to consider all travel options to get to any of our airports this holiday season. Travelers can call 800 AIR RIDE for information on transportation options at each of our airports," said Robert J. Kelly, the Port Authority's Director of Aviation. "Travelers also should be aware that parking may be limited and they should call in advance to get the latest information on parking availability."
During the holiday period - from Thursday, December 23, through Monday, January 3 - a total of 2,869,000 passengers on 35,888 flights are projected to travel from JFK, Newark and LaGuardia airports, approximately the same as last year.
Air travel on December 31 and January 1 is projected to drop by 37 percent since a number of airlines have canceled flights citing weak demand. Increases are projected for Thursday, December 23, and Sunday, December 26, through Thursday, December 30.
To accommodate the traffic at Newark Airport, the Port Authority began construction late last month on two parking garages, which will yield a net increase of about 3,500 new spaces. During construction, 540 parking spaces have been temporarily eliminated in the Terminal C daily lots. To make up for the loss, the Port Authority created 240 new spaces in Parking Lot D, and 300 new valet parking spaces near Monorail Station E at Newark.
Given the limited parking available at all of the region's airports, travelers are urged to have someone drop them off at a terminal at any of the three airports. Passengers also can reach the airports in a taxi, limousine or bus, or by using other transportation services. For up-to-date information on parking, passengers can also call each of the three major airports.
For Newark International, call 1-888-EWR-INFO; for John F. Kennedy International, 718 244-4444; and for LaGuardia, 718 533-3850. Additional parking updates can be obtained near the airport by tuning into highway advisory radio at 530 AM for Newark and 1630 AM for JFK.
If airport lots at Newark are temporarily full, travelers can use several private off-airport facilities located along Routes 1 & 9 South that provide free shuttle service to the passenger terminals. If the long-term lot at LaGuardia is full, travelers can use several private off-airport facilities located along Ditmars Boulevard that provide free shuttle service to passenger terminals.
Travelers who use Newark also can take advantage of valet parking for $18 a day. Airport roadway signs direct travelers to the valet parking area. At JFK, the Port Authority operates free on-airport bus service between the passenger terminals, the long-term parking lots and the A train subway station at Howard Beach.
PATH:
Extra PATH service will be available if necessary to accommodate commuters who may leave work early on Thursday, December 23, to begin the Christmas holiday weekend. On Friday, December 24, PATH will operate on a regular weekday schedule and on Christmas Day, December 25, trains will operate on a holiday schedule.
Early getaway service also will be available if necessary on Thursday, December 30. On New Year's Eve, December 31, extra PATH service will be provided on all lines to accommodate travelers attending festivities in Manhattan. PATH trains will operate on a holiday schedule on New Year's Day, January 1.
Tunnels, Bridges, Terminals: To enhance the commute for those traveling between New York and New Jersey during the Christmas and New Year's holiday, the Port Authority will suspend construction at the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln and Holland tunnels.
All construction and maintenance work at the George Washington Bridge will be suspended at noon Thursday, December 23 and will resume Monday, December 27. Work also will be suspended from noon Thursday, December 30, and will resume Monday, January 3.
At the Holland and Lincoln tunnels, construction and maintenance work will be suspended on Friday, December 24, Saturday, December 25, Friday, December 31, and Saturday, January 1.