UNITED BREAKS GROUND ON NEW WIDEBODY AIRCRAFT HANGAR

CHICAGO, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines this week broke ground on a new widebody aircraft maintenance hangar at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The airline, which is investing more than $25 million in the 90,000 square foot facility, expects to complete construction by year end.

"United is committed to the city of Newark, the state of New Jersey and the region," said Kate Gebo, vice president of corporate real estate. "Construction of this new widebody hangar in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey underscores that commitment and our investment in reliability and service."

Economic development officials estimate the project will drive more than 200 construction jobs, $12 million in wages and $52 million in regional economic activity.

"This state-of-the-art facility will be the workplace for more than 700 United aviation maintenance technicians," said Joe Ferreira, vice president of line maintenance. "From this hangar, they will work together to ensure the safety and reliability of United's fleet and the comfort and convenience of our customers."

With more than 400 daily departures from Newark Liberty International Airport to more than 130 airports, United and United Express offer more flights from New York/Newark to more cities around the world than any other airline. Approximately 13,000 United employees are based at the airline's Newark hub.

In October 2012, United broke ground on a 125,000 square foot maintenance hangar at Washington Dulles International Airport.

The airline announced this month that it is also investing more than $50 million to renovate many of its United Club airport lounges.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,557 flights a day to 378 airports on six continents from the airline's hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United is upgrading its cabins with more flat-bed seats in first and business class and more extra-legroom economy-class seating than any other airline in North America. United now has 180 airplanes featuring DIRECTV®, offering customers more live television access than any other airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has orders for more than 270 new aircraft deliveries through 2022. In 2012, United was the first North American airline to take delivery of new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. United was rated the world's most admired airline on FORTUNE magazine's 2012 airline-industry list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for nine consecutive years. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 27 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.

SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.