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Continental Airlines
today retires the last of its MD-80 aircraft, which reduces the
airline's fleet to just three Boeing aircraft types – the 777, 767/757 and 737 models. This fleet
simplification is the result of a 10-year strategic effort to eliminate complexity and expense in Continental’s operations. During the past decade, Continental has
eliminated the A300, DC-10, 747, 737-100/200, 727 and DC-9.
“While simplifying the fleet we have also succeeded in dramatically reducing its age and increasing its fuel efficiency,” said Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO. “Our best
fuel hedge continues to be our fuel-efficient fleet and operating procedures. Today Continental uses 21 percent less fuel per available seat mile than it did in 1998.”
Other benefits of a simplified fleet include greater efficiencies in pilot training and staffing, more flexibility in scheduling crews and routing aircraft, simplified
maintenance and reduced spare part inventory costs, all of which results in higher reliability.
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