"Schiphol Group: Schiphol Group becomes first non-U.S. airport operator to develop an U.S. terminal with official opening of new Terminal 4 at JFK International Airport"

Friday, May 25, 2001

Schiphol Group: Schiphol Group becomes first non-U.S. airport operator to
develop an U.S. terminal with official opening of new Terminal 4 at JFK
International Airport


May 25, 2001 (M2 PRESSWIRE) -- The new 1.5 million square foot Terminal 4 at
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, opened officially
yesterday. Terminal 4 is one of the largest public/private projects in the
United States. It is also the first time that an U.S. air terminal has been
developed by a non U.S. airport operator.

The new Terminal 4 is an achievement of JFK International Air Terminal LLC
(JFK IAT). JFK IAT is a private consortium in which Schiphol USA, subsidiary
of Schiphol Group, holds a 40% share. JFK IAT will manage the new Terminal 4
till at least the year 2015. Apart from Schiphol USA, the JFK IAT consortium
is formed by LCOR Inc., a national real estate developer, also holding a 40%
share, and Lehman Brothers Inc. with a 20% share.

Investments in the new terminal amounted to US$ 1.4 billion. The project was
financed by bond issues from the Port Authority and is an essential part of
an extensive renaissance of JFK Airport.

Terminal 4 is JFK's most important terminal. Some 40, mainly internationally
operating airlines including KLM and partner NorthWest, make use of this
terminal. Terminal 4 is the only terminal at JFK which is open around the
clock. The new terminal is already viewed to be a hallmark for JFK and other
airports in the United States.

"Kennedy Airport's newest and grandest passenger terminal recaptures the
glory days of JFK", governer Pataki said. "It also goes a long way toward
restoring Kennedy Airport to its proper status as New York's world-class
international gateway".

Unique Joint American/Dutch Achievement The Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey in 1997 transferred operations of terminal 4 to the JFK IAT
consortium. Construction of the new terminal started the same year. Schiphol
Group brought in its expertise in terminal management and the development
and construction of a terminal while passenger handling was not disrupted in
any way.

"During the development and design of functionalities we always have placed
ourselves in the role of the users - the passengers and the airlines - and
we believe that everyone will agree that this splendid terminal was well
worth the wait", says Hans Mohrmann, president of Schiphol USA.

Common Use Facilities and Wide Open Space The new Terminal 4 replaces the
old International Arrivals Building, erected in 1957, and which could not
accommodate the growing number of passengers.

Construction was phased so that disruption of operations was kept to the
minimum. Demolition of the old building will be finished in April 2002.

The new terminal resembles the highly acclaimed terminal of Schiphol. The
building has walls of glass that offer clear lines of sight to the aircraft.

Combined with wide-open spaces and a variety of high-quality facilities,
Terminal 4 offers travellers a hassle-free experience. Passengers, who have
travelled via Schiphol Airport, will also recognise other important details,
such as the clear signage and the 'fly' in the gentlemen's toilets.

For the airlines, the terminal reflects a new philosophy in airport
management in the United States - as at Schiphol Airport, a 'common use'
system has been implemented, by which airlines share check-in counters,
gates and baggage carousels. This system maximises efficiency and reduces
operating costs.

The new Terminal 4 consists of three public levels. The Arrivals Hall on the
ground floor measures 500 x 1000 feet and accommodates 52 Immigration and
Passport-control counters and 20 Customs counters. The Reclaim hall has
seven baggage carousels, each capable of handling two Boeing 747 loads of
baggage at once.

The Departure level has four groups of counters with a total of 144 check-in
positions. Terminal 4 initially has 10 gates on two concourses. Two gates
are already equipped to handle the future Super Jumbo. Gates will be
increased to 16, plus 10 ramp parking positions, when demolition of the old
building is finished in April 2002.

The mid-level contains the Airtrain light rail station and a 100,000 square
feet retail hall. The light rail system will connect Terminal 4 with the
other terminals and the parking areas as from early 2002. In 2003, the light
rail system will be connected with Jamaica Station, thus offering passengers
an easy way to travel on to Manhattan. Terminal 4 is the only terminal at
JFK where the trainstation is incorporated in the building.

The retail hall, viewed by many as the terminal's centrepiece, is as long as
four blocks of Fifth Avenue. Designed to reflect an urban streetscape, the
retail hall offers passengers and visitors some of the finest shopping and
dining in New York City.

The many facilities ensure that Terminal 4 offers a relaxed, enjoyable
experience for travelers; a 'New York style' version of the AirportCity
formula which has been developed by Schiphol Group.

Architects TAMS, Skidmore Owings & MERRILL LLP and Arup Engineers have
designed the building.

More Than Just a Air Terminal Apart from space, transparency by means of
glass walls, easy orientation and clear signage and a variety of services
and facilities, a lot of attention is given to art - as at Schiphol Airport.

To add to the new terminal's travel experience, three site-specific
large-scale artworks have been commissioned by the JFK IAT consortium. Along
the corridors of the two concourses passengers will be surprised by a series
of lenticular screens, backlit in suspended stainless steel panels.

"Travelogues" by Elizabeth Diller and Richard Scofidio are based on the
contents and organisation of a suitcase, thus revealing the personal story
of a journey.

Just as passengers are leaving the concourse, they see the beginning of
"Curtain Wall" by Harry Roseman. It is a series of draperies, first hung in
an orderly, static fashion, but becoming more and more windblown as the
traveller moves towards his point of entry in the United States. When
passengers reach the Immigration and Passport control area, they will gaze
up at a startling series of 28 panels by Deborah Masters. Her "New York
Streets" show all aspects of daily life in the city.

To honour the official opening of Terminal 4, Schiphol Group has
commissioned the Dutch artist Mark Brusse to make a special artwork. The art
work for Terminal 4 will strongly relate to Mark Brusse's "I meet You" in
Arrivals hall 3 of Schiphol Airport. This work consists of a pair of
gigantic wooden shoes on a pedestal, with steps at the bottom.

"This work of art reflects the bond between the Netherlands and the United
States, and especially between Schiphol Group and Terminal 4", Pieter
Verboom, CFO of Schiphol Group, said. The artwork will be put in place in
Spring of 2002, when the old building is completely demolished.

Room for Further Growth

The new terminal allows for further extension without serious operational
disturbances. In 2000, Delta Airlines signed a declaration of intent with
the JFK IAT consortium, stating that it wants to use Terminal 4 to operate
its international flights. At present, Delta Airlines makes use of its own
terminals 2 and 3. It is expected that in Autumn negotiations will be
concluded. The Delta addition would double the size of the terminal and
increase the number of gates from 16 to 42. This project is slated for
completion in mid 2005.

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