INSIDE THIS ISSUEAirport Director John L. Martin Announces His Retirement SFO Serves Record 50 Million Passengers in 2015 Now Open: New Shopping and Dining Options at SFO Airberlin to Launch Nonstop Service to Düsseldorf Flight Arrivals: Upcoming Service Additions at SFO Essential Style: Vintage and Antique Purses SFO Welcomes the Return of Qantas Airways SFO & United Airlines Unveil the Terminal 3 East Concourse and United Club |
Airport Director John L. Martin Announces His RetirementSan Francisco International Airport Director John L. Martin has announced that after 20 years leading the nation’s 7th busiest airport, he will retire in summer 2016. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to guide SFO through massive changes and unprecedented growth for the past two decades,” Director Martin said. “I’ve had an extraordinary ride with an extraordinary team, and I am proud of all we have accomplished together. The time has come for me to retire from the City and to move on to other interests. I am confident SFO is in a strong position to continue as a leader in the aviation industry. I've been blessed to lead an Airport team that cares deeply about operating an exceptional airport for our passengers, supporting one another as one team and serving our communities.” “John L. Martin’s leadership at the helm of our nation’s 7th busiest international airport for the last two decades has left a legacy for residents and visitors for generations to come,” Mayor Ed Lee said. “SFO as our City’s gateway to the world has been transformed under his direction, passion and dedication to being the best, and John L. Martin will truly be missed as Director of San Francisco International Airport.” A search for SFO’s next airport director will be conducted in coming months. Mr. Martin will continue in his current role for the foreseeable future, and he will guide the transition to new leadership at SFO. Mr. Martin was first appointed Airport Director in 1995 by then-San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan and served as SFO’s chief executive under Mayors Willie Brown, Gavin Newsom and current San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee. Prior to his appointment as director, Mr. Martin served as SFO’s Deputy Airport Director for Business and Finance. In all, he spent 35 years at the Airport. During the early years, Mr. Martin oversaw the completion of a $3.5 billion capital plan that included construction of the now iconic International Terminal, a BART extension to the Airport, new parking garages, and the AirTrain people mover system. During the mid-1990s, this was the largest public construction project in the United States. A series of world events, starting with the September 11, 2001, attacks, precipitated a dramatic 26 percent drop in SFO’s traffic from 40 million passengers per annum in 2000 to around 26 million a few years later just as many of the new facilities were coming on line. “We responded by cutting costs, finding new sources of non-airline revenue and increasing the number of international and low-cost carriers. It was a difficult period for SFO,” Mr. Martin said. Since then, the Airport has added 25 new international carriers and several new low-cost carriers, including the home-basing of Virgin America. For the past seven years, SFO has been one of the fastest growing airports in the world and is the top concession revenue producer per passenger of any U.S. airport. “Through it all, we maintained our commitment to providing excellent customer service and a ‘sense of place’ for our guests and to being an excellent steward of the environment,” Mr. Martin said. SFO continues to plan for the future, with a new $4.4 billion capital project currently under way. The current plan includes a new air traffic control tower (completed), a new Terminal 1, a new 350-room hotel, and numerous cargo and service-related buildings. Read more about John. L. Martin's key accomplishments.
SFO Serves Record 50 Million Passengers in 2015New all-time annual passenger traffic record set on December 30, 2015 SFO announced a major milestone in its 88-year history, achieving a new all-time passenger traffic record of 50 million annual passengers on December 30, 2015. This momentous occasion caps a six-year timespan of continuous traffic growth at the Airport. To commemorate the milestone, SFO partnered with San Francisco’s hometown airline and the only airline headquartered in the Bay Area, Virgin America, to surprise the 50 millionth passenger, Katheryn Castanga, of Arlington, Virginia, who was getting ready to board Virgin America Flight 1 from SFO to Reagan National Airport (DCA) – with two round trip tickets to the U.S.’s 50th state of Hawaii. Katheryn is a frequent flyer through SFO and an Elevate Silver Status member on the airline. Festivities for guests traveling through SFO were held at one of Virgin America’s gates in the modern and stylish Terminal 2. “SFO is the international gateway to our City and is a proven powerful economic engine for the entire Bay Area, creating jobs and revenue throughout local economies,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “I would like to congratulate SFO on this momentous milestone for serving its 50 millionth passenger this year, setting a new all-time record in the process. This new passenger traffic record is a win for the entire Bay Area region.” A July 2015 benchmarking report released by the City and County of San Francisco’s Office of the Controller concluded that SFO led in passenger traffic growth among similar large airports across the United States. The report, prepared by the City Services Auditor, compared SFO to 12 other peer airports across the nation, including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York-JFK, LAX, Seattle, and Washington-Dulles. Findings noted that SFO had experienced the highest rate of passenger enplanement growth, at 33%, from 2007 to 2014. During the same period, five peer airports experienced a loss in enplanements.
Now Open: New Shopping and Dining Options at SFO |
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Guests may now enjoy these new shopping and dining options: TERMINAL 3 Dining
Shopping
TERMINAL 1 Dining
Airberlin to Launch Nonstop Service to Düsseldorf
Airline to launch five flights per week in summer 2016 Airberlin, Germany's second largest airline and member of oneworld©, is expanding its route network to the United States, adding San Francisco to its network in May 2016. Airberlin will fly five times from San Francisco to Düsseldorf, the airline's main long-haul hub. The Düsseldorf – San Francisco route will return as of May 6, 2016 and initially feature three flights per week, then increase to five weekly flights starting in June, operating every day except Tuesday and Saturday. As airberlin is a network carrier with an extensive route network in Europe, special fares for various destinations such as Berlin, Milan or Zurich are also available and accessible with only one stop and convenient connection times. Visit airberlin.com for more information.
Flight Arrivals: Upcoming Service Additions at SFO
Essential Style: Vintage and Antique Purses
Purses have a rich and varied history dating to the Medieval period. For centuries, bags used to carry personal items served as an essential part of daily life. Rather than remaining utilitarian, purses evolved into a sophisticated decorative art and fashion accessory. Early bags demonstrate the creativity and skills of their makers—from metal and leatherwork to weaving, embroidery, and knitting. Historically, both men and women wore purses attached to their belts or fabric bands that hung from the waist. After inside pockets were introduced to men’s clothing at the end of the sixteenth century, their use of bags gradually declined. Purse styles became increasingly sophisticated during the seventeenth century, showcasing more complex shapes, embroideries, and trims. The aristocracy often presented small gifts in elaborately decorated purses. Other purses served as “sweet bags” that held perfumed powder or dried flowers and herbs. Some purses functioned as sewing kits, while others were used as gaming bags to carry coins and counters. This stylish accessory remains an indispensable component of female fashion. Essential Style features a dazzling assortment of antique and vintage bags from the eighteenth to the twentieth century—from dance purses to finely beaded bags, embroidered petit point purses and alligator bags. Special thanks to members of the Antique Purse Collectors Society for making this exhibition possible. Essential Style: Vintage and Antique Purses is located in the International Terminal, Pre-Security A-side from January 18, 2016, to July 22, 2016. There is no charge to view the exhibition.
SFO Welcomes the Return of Qantas Airways
SFO welcomed the return of Qantas Airways on December 18, 2015 with nonstop service from SFO to Sydney. The airline had previously operated at SFO from March 29, 2006, through May 7, 2011. “San Francisco is pleased to welcome the return of Qantas Airways to SFO, a clear sign of economic confidence in our Bay Area region,” said Mayor Lee. “Qantas carries a rich tradition dating back to the dawn of commercial aviation, and we are proud to once again be a part of their future. The return of Qantas will strengthen the highly regarded sister city relationship between San Francisco and Sydney.” SFO Airport Director John L. Martin also expressed his excitement over the resumption of service. “In 1959, Qantas established the first air service between San Francisco and Sydney. Their return to SFO is a wonderful homecoming, one which reaffirms our status as the premier gateway to the Pacific.” Qantas is one of the largest and oldest airlines in the world, having been founded in 1920 as the Queensland and Northern Territories Aerial Services Limited. In 1935, Qantas began operating international flights, with service between Darwin, Australia and Singapore. In 1959, Qantas launched its first jet service, operating a Boeing 707 from Sydney to San Francisco via Nadi, Fiji and Honolulu, Hawaii. Qantas will operate select nonstop flights through December and January, with six flights per week beginning in February. Qantas will use a Boeing 747-400 aircraft with 353 passenger seats, comprised of 14 First Class, 52 Business Class, 32 Premium Economy, and 255 Economy seats. For more information, visit www.qantas.com.
SFO & United Airlines Unveil the Terminal 3 East Concourse and United Club
Renovated boarding area, latest Terminal 3 East club opened November 18, 2015 SFO and United Airlines unveiled the newly-renovated Terminal 3 East Concourse (T3E), featuring a dramatic 53,000-square-foot expansion that creates additional circulation space, new concessions, and enhanced amenities for airport guests. The $253 million renovation is comprised of a concourse connecting Boarding Areas E and F, a consolidated central security checkpoint, three additional aircraft boarding gates and a new United Club location. “T3E is the latest expression of our vision for the guest experience at SFO,” said Airport Director John L. Martin. “This inviting, relaxing space features a fresh take on what we aim to deliver in all of our facilities – thoughtful passenger amenities, concessions representing the San Francisco Bay Area, inspiring public artwork, and environmentally-sustainable design.” New features and amenities T3E features eight new retail and dining outlets, including small businesses based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Free Wi-Fi, 230 power outlets, and 200 USB outlets will allow guests to stay connected and productive. Four new art installations, provided through the San Francisco Arts Commission, along with lounge-style seating areas, transform the space into a relaxing, inspiring environment. Guest restrooms even feature private changing rooms, an unexpected perk. New United Club At just over 6,000 square feet, the newest United Club at SFO offers a panoramic view of airport operations and a gallery of photos of United’s history. Comfortable seating can accommodate more than 130 people who will be able to enjoy a complimentary menu with seasonal choices. Green Building Design Renovated through a design-build partnership comprised of Gensler and Hensel-Phelps, the T3E facility includes seismic enhancements to the original 400,000 square foot facility, originally built in 1979, and improvements to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and electrical load centers to support anticipated LEED “Gold” certification for environmentally-sustainable facility design.
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