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Customer service at Logan International Airport is hitting a high note with the latest initiative to improve the passengers' experience at Boston and New England's premier airport. Starting today, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will offer live music in the terminals of Logan, providing passengers with the opportunity to enjoy jazz, classical, reggae, and calypso music performed by members of East Boston-based ZUMIX, a youth organization committed to empowering young people through music.

"We are working to make air travel as stress-free as possible for our 27 million passengers a year," said Massport Executive Director and CEO Virginia Buckingham. "With new rocking chairs, courteous cab drivers, cots and snacks for stranded travelers and now live music, Logan is setting the standard for quality customer service. I am proud that Massport can partner with ZUMIX, a first-class community organization, to deliver the latest initiative to make Logan a better experience."

The year-long pilot program with ZUMIX will provide live music every Thursday from 4:30PM to 6:30PM in a selected Logan terminal. The music will vary and take place in a different terminal every week. Depending on passenger response, the program may be expanded or adjusted.

"ZUMIX is particularly excited to partner with Massport on this project. By offering live music and other amenities, Massport can provide better service to their passengers without negatively impacting the community. This is visionary and we applaud them on this effort," said Madeline Steczynski, Executive Director of ZUMIX.

ZUMIX is a non-profit youth outreach organization that offers music and arts opportunities to young people citywide ages eight through 18. The organization's mission is to empower youth to use music to make strong, positive changes in their lives, their communities and their world. ZUMIX is based in East Boston and was founded in 1991.

This most recent effort builds on several new initiatives launched this year. In June, Massport installed rocking chairs in the terminal areas to provide passengers with a relaxing alternative to fixed seating. A month earlier, Massport unveiled a customer service training program for taxicab drivers at Logan that has already reached more than 1,000 cab drivers. In February, Massport developed Guaranteed Passenger Standards for airlines at Logan and has been monitoring airlines for their adherence to the standards. And in January, Massport initiated a program to provide delayed passengers with cots, snacks and emergency baby supplies. Massport is also seeking to address passengers' number one complaint about Logan, delays, by building a new unidirectional runway at Logan, which would reduce delays by 30 percent annually.

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