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Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), today announced that it will initiate daily,
nonstop flights between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and
Villahermosa, Mexico, in December 2002, pending government approval.
The new Continental Express service aboard the latest version of Embraer's
fast, quiet 50-passenger ERJ-145 ExpressJet, will feature Spanish-speaking
flight attendants, as do most Continental flights to Mexican and Latin
American destinations. Bilingual customer service representatives will be
available to assist passengers at ticket counters and departure/arrival
gates.
Villahermosa, centrally located in the state of Tabasco, is at the
heart of Mexico's vast oil industry. Surrounded by three rivers, the city
is close to numerous archeological and natural attractions.
"Continental Airlines' new Villahermosa flight will be a great convenience
for business travelers and tourists alike, whether they're visiting
Villahermosa for the region's petroleum industry or to explore the Olmec and
Mayan cultures," said Brian Znotins, International Route Planning Manager.
With the addition of Villahermosa, Continental and Continental Express will
serve 20 cities in Mexico. Continental already serves more Mexican business
and leisure destinations than any other U.S. airline, with more than 300
departures each week.
Continental Express will operate Embraer's new long-range regional jet on
the daily, nonstop flight. Departing Houston Intercontinental Airport at
9:30 a.m., the flight will arrive in Villahermosa at 12:20 p.m. The return
flight will leave Villahermosa at 1:20 p.m., arriving in Houston at 4:10
p.m. The Embraer ExpressJet offers amenities such as jet-bridge loading, a
fully equipped galley, a spacious lavatory, and a comfortable interior with
only window and aisle seating.
Continental Express, operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., employees more
than 5,200 people and provides Continental Airlines with all of its regional
airline capacity at its hub airports in Houston, Cleveland and New York
/Newark. Continental Express offers advance seat assignments and OnePass
frequent flyer miles, which can be redeemed anywhere in the world
Continental and its partner airlines fly. ExpressJet Airlines is wholly
owned by ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: XJT) The No. 2 U.S. air carrier to Latin America and the Caribbean in
number of passengers and destinations served, Continental Airlines is the fifth
largest airline in the U.S. Continental serves more international cities
than any other U.S. carrier, and has won numerous honors for service and
operations, including Air Transport World's Airline of the Year award in
2001 and 1996. |
