Press Release

 

May 10 , 2007
Clear® and Virgin Atlantic Airways Open Registered Traveler Lanes at JFK Terminal 4. Program allows nearly 4 million departing JFK fliers to access fast lanes.

 

NEW YORK – May 10, 2007 – Clear® Registered Traveler and Virgin Atlantic Airways announced today the opening of the Clear lanes at JFK International Airport Terminal 4, continuing the rollout of the US registered traveler program which began earlier this year at five airports – JFK Terminal 7, Orlando, San Jose, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.  In addition to Virgin Atlantic passengers, Clear will also serve a combination of over 50 international and domestic airlines operating out of Terminal 4, which has an annual departing passenger volume of almost 4 million.  Later this month, Clear and Virgin Atlantic will open Clear lanes at Newark’s Terminal B and next month Clear will open lanes at JFK Terminal 1.

 

Clear has also been chosen by the Little Rock and Albany airports, where programs are scheduled to launch early this summer – giving Clear ten venues at eight airports in advance of further expansion anticipated this fall.

 

“Launching the Clear Registered Traveler program at JFK is an important way to enhance Virgin Atlantic’s new schedule of 6 flights a day from the New York area to London Heathrow,” said Chris Rossi, Senior Vice President, North America. "On the ground and in the air, Virgin Atlantic offers a signature combination of service and product. Clear is an innovative step which will enhance the Virgin Atlantic experience at JFK’s Terminal 4, reducing stress and saving time for our travelers."

 

Virgin Atlantic will also market the program nationally, including in its lounges and on its website, in conjunction with Clear.

 

Clear, now with over 45,000 members, began the first privately-run registered traveler pilot program at Orlando International Airport in July 2005. The program is fully interoperable with all other airports with TSA-certified registered traveler programs.  Clear provides members with a biometric identity card that allows them expedited access through airport security checkpoints for an annual fee of $99.95, once they are pre-screened and approved by TSA.

 

"Terminal 4 is delighted to add Clear to its array of services and amenities available for passengers," said Alain Maca, President of JFK International Air Terminal, LLC (management company of Terminal 4). "Now our travelers will know that with Clear they can save time and have a hassle-free experience at security processing to spend more time shopping and dining at our world class terminal." 

 

"Virgin Atlantic and Terminal 4 are important partners for Clear,” said Clear founder and CEO Steven Brill. "Both provide exemplary customer service to millions of frequent business travelers each year, and using Clear lanes will allow these customers to have a more predictable experience at airport security and to spend more of their time at the quality retail shops at the terminal."

 

Clear's new verification kiosk, with state-of-the-art shoe scanner technology, has been installed at the Clear lanes at JFK and all other Clear locations. The TSA-approved kiosk is in use today at the Clear lane in Orlando - where members can, in most instances, leave their shoes on as they pass through the security checkpoint. The shoe scanning technology will rollout at all other terminals as soon as TSA-approved protocols are in place there. Another technology is expected to exempt Clear members from removing their suit coats and other outer garments in the coming months.  The next technology in development is a scanner that will allow a laptop to stay in its case.

 

About Clear® Registered Traveler
Verified Identity Pass's Clear Registered Traveler is the only registered traveler program operating at U.S. airports. Clear has been operational since July 19, 2005, at Orlando International Airport and has over 45,000 members. Earlier this year, Clear launched additional lanes at JFK's British Airways Terminal 7 and San José, Indianapolis and Cincinnati International Airports. Clear will begin operating programs at JFK's Terminal 1 and Newark's Terminal B soon. In addition, Clear has been selected by Albany International Airport and Little Rock National Airport for programs at those airports, and the company also has an agreement with Toronto Pearson International Airport to operate a Canadian program, working with Canadian authorities. Clear's verification kiosk with shoe scanning technology, co-developed with Verified Identity Pass's partner GE, will allow members, in most instances, to keep their shoes on as they pass through the Clear lanes at the security checkpoint. For information visit: www.flyclear.com.

 

About Virgin Atlantic Airways
In 1984, Virgin Atlantic Airways launched with just one airplane flying between London and New York.  Now serving the world's major cities, Virgin Atlantic has effectively changed the industry and is now widely recognized as one of the world's best airlines, much to the dismay of the competition. Offering high-flying service featuring the award-winning Upper Class Suite and the new Premium Economy, Virgin Atlantic flies from 10 US cities to London. With long haul services to twenty-seven destinations worldwide, Virgin Atlantic flies to cities as far apart as Las Vegas, Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai, with recent growth to Mumbai, Sydney, Dubai, Chicago and Nairobi. Despite Virgin Atlantic’s growth, the service still remains customer driven with an emphasis on value for money, quality, fun and innovation, ensuring flying Virgin Atlantic is always an event.

 

About JFK Terminal 4
Terminal 4, the 1.5-million-square-foot facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport, opened in May 2001 and has an annual passenger volume of 7.7 million air travellers.  Terminal 4 is home to 50 international and domestic carriers representing 39 countries. JFK IAT is the first private, non-airline consortium selected by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to develop and manage an airport terminal. For information visit: www.jfkiat.com.