CAL Files for LHR

[Furloughed80]

Continental Airlines Files for Blanket Open Skies Authority Including London Heathrow Authority
Thursday March 22, 11:00 am ET


HOUSTON, March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL - News) applauded today's approval of an open skies agreement between the U.S. and the European Union which will provide Continental with flights access to London's Heathrow Airport for the first time. Upon news of the European Commission vote, Continental immediately filed an amended application at the U.S. Department of Transportation for rights to serve new routes to Europe once the open skies agreement takes effect.

Continental, which by the end of 2007 will operate to 30 destinations across the Atlantic from its U.S. hubs at New York/Newark, Houston and Cleveland, plans to inaugurate service from its Houston hub to London/Heathrow before summer 2008, subject to government approval and the airline obtaining necessary slots and facilities at Heathrow Airport.

As it expands into Heathrow, the airline will retain service to London/Gatwick currently offered from the airline's three U.S. hubs.

 

[Heavy Set]

I am sure all of the lagacies not already flying there will file for LHR slots, and their partners in their alliances will help them get the slots or gates.