KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (NYSE: KLM and AEX: KLM) and Continental Airlines
(NYSE: CAL) today announced that they have extended the duration of their
cooperative marketing agreement, which includes codesharing and reciprocal
airport lounge access, until May 30, 2003.
Meanwhile, the scope of the two airlines' codesharing is being expanded.
Starting June 15, Continental and KLM will codeshare on selected flights
to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa operated by KLM, KLM
cityhopper and KLM exel beyond its Amsterdam hub which connect with
Continental's recently-launched non-stop flights between Houston and
Amsterdam. Currently, the two airlines codeshare on flights beyond
Amsterdam and Continental's New York/Newark hub which connect with each
other's non-stop services between these two airports, and on selected
flights to U.S. destinations operated by Continental and Continental
Express beyond its Houston hub which connect with the KLM/Northwest
Airlines joint venture flight between Amsterdam and Houston.
In total, Continental connects to 77 destinations beyond Amsterdam on KLM
while KLM connects to 89 destinations beyond New York/Newark and 117
beyond Houston on Continental. Together, KLM and Continental create
68,000 unique city-pair connections.
Continental, KLM and Northwest Airlines are continuing to discuss the
possibility of longer-term and deeper cooperation. This cooperation could
involve KLM and Continental, together with Northwest, forming a joint
venture for a portion of their respective trans-Atlantic operations,
similar in structure to the current joint venture between KLM and
Northwest.
The existing agreement between KLM and Continental, which came into effect
in January 2002, offers major benefits to both carriers' customers,
particularly their frequent flyers. KLM's Business Class passengers and
Royal/Silver Win members have access to Continental's President Club
lounges at New York/Newark, while Continental's BusinessFirst customers
and Presidents Club members have access to KLM's Business Class lounge at
Amsterdam/Schiphol.
Members of the two airlines' frequent flyer programs, Continental's
OnePass and KLM's Flying Dutchman, can earn and redeem points or miles on
all flights operated by the other carrier.
The two airlines provide business class check-in facilities and priority
boarding to all Platinum, Gold and Silver Elite OnePass members and
Royal/Silver Wing Flying Dutchman members. |
