United Airlines Opens New Widebody Hangar at Newark Liberty

NEWARK, N.J., March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Just weeks after opening its new Global Services reception lobby at Newark Liberty International Airport, United Airlines today unveiled its latest investment in the New York area's largest hub airport – a new widebody aircraft maintenance hangar.

United invested $35 million to construct the facility, which will help support the airline's widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350-XWB, which United will begin flying in 2018. The hangar also expands United's maintenance capability for widebodies by 33 percent at Newark Liberty.

"This state-of-the-art hangar underscores United's commitment to the city of Newark, the state of New Jersey and the region," said Ken Burtt, United's senior vice president of technical operations. "The facility will be an asset to our operation, helping us improve the reliability of our aircraft, maintain the highest levels of safety, and provide a superior workplace for our employees."

United has more than 13,000 employees in the New York metropolitan area, 700 of whom are dedicated to technical operations and maintenance at Newark Liberty. Construction of the 90,000-square-foot hangar also had a significant economic impact on the region, as more than 600 local workers helped build the facility.

"United Airlines' investment of nearly $35 million in its new 21st century hangar at Newark Liberty International Airport is further evidence of the carrier's longstanding commitment to New Jersey,'' said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Deb Gramiccioni. "The Port Authority is especially pleased this widebody aircraft hangar is designed to serve larger aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the newer generation of planes for our passengers."

In November 2013, United also completed construction of a 125,000-square-foot maintenance hangar at Washington Dulles International Airport. Together with this new hangar at Newark, United has significantly increased its maintenance capabilities on the East Coast.

United in New York / New Jersey

United is the New York area's largest airline, offering more flights and more seats from the region to more destinations around the world than any other carrier. The airline offers nearly 400 flights each day from Newark Liberty to more than 150 destinations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia – as well as service from New York LaGuardia and from New York Kennedy to top business centers.

Newark Liberty is the only domestic and global hub serving the region, with rail links providing convenient access for travelers in New Jersey, New York City including Wall Street, and other parts of the tri-state region.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United is delivering a more flyer-friendly experience, offering more premium-cabin flat-bed seats and extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S. global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi, including on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, with more live television access than any airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 36 new Boeing aircraft and welcome the E175 aircraft to United Express. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2013, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program for 10 consecutive years. Air Transport World named United the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines