NEWS
December 4, 2000
MEDIA ADVISORY: Contact: Ron V. Wilson FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Director, Bureau of Community Affairs (650) 821-4000 SF-00-71
Airlines Begin Move Into New International Terminal Tonight Officials Urge Travelers to Check with Airline for Terminal Location
SAN FRANCISCO -- Today marks the first day of the move-in process to San Francisco International Airport’s new International Terminal. Three of the Airport’s 24 international carriers – Asiana Airlines, Mexicana Airlines and Singapore Airlines-- will move their operations from the existing terminal to the new terminal during the night.
The move is scheduled to happen between each airline’s final flight today and first flight tomorrow morning. All Asiana, Mexicana and Singapore Airlines flights will operate out of the new International Terminal as of 6 a.m. tomorrow. PLEASE NOTE ASIANA FLIGHT #214 AND MEXICANA FLIGHT #974, SCHEDULED TO DEPART AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, WILL LEAVE FROM THE OLD INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL. Travelers are urged to confirm all flight times and locations with their airlines before coming to the Airport.
An estimated 2,316 passengers are scheduled to depart from the new Terminal tomorrow and 1,164 are expected to arrive in the new International Terminal, totaling 3,480.
Since September 15, 2000, 75,000 passengers and 175,000 pieces of luggage have been successfully processed through the new International Terminal on SunTrips, Allegro Airlines and select United Airlines test flights.
All international flights, except those to Canada which operate out of the domestic terminals, will operate out of the new International Terminal by Sunday, December 10.
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The Airport expects this week’s move-in process to go smoothly. Airport officials have worked hard to identify any and all problems that may affect the traveling public.
More than 100 support people from the Airport’s system vendors are on-site this week to address any problems that may arise before the terminal becomes fully operational on December 10.
Airport Ambassadors, easily identified in teal-blue jackets with the SFO logo, will be on duty throughout the week to help alleviate any confusion among travelers.
The Airport strongly recommends to those who are traveling internationally, or picking up passengers, to allow extra time and check with the airline, for terminal location. Those traveling internationally should arrive at the Airport three hours ahead of the flight’s scheduled departure time.
The roadways leading to the Airport have changed and drivers are cautioned to slow down and follow the signs to the appropriate terminal for their carrier.
The latest information on the move-in process is available at SFO’s Web site www.flysfo.com.
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Airline Move-in dates for New International Terminal at SFO
Monday, Dec. 4 Allegro, SunTrips
Tuesday, Dec. 5 Asiana Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, Singapore Airlines
Wednesday, Dec. 6 Aeroflot Russian International Airlines, Air France, China Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, United Airlines (International)
Thursday, Dec. 7 Japan Airlines
Friday, Dec. 8 British Airways, EVA Airways, KLM Royal Dutch*, Philippine Airlines
Saturday, Dec. 9 Air China, All Nippon Airways, TACA International Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airlines
Sunday, Dec. 10 Alitalia, Cathay Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines, Northwest Airlines (International), Swissair
* Please note KLM is now scheduled to move into the new Terminal on Dec. 8, not Dec. 10, as previously announced.