HOUSTON, Oct 5, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) announced it will begin daily nonstop service on Dec. 16 between Laredo International Airport and Mexico City, pending government approval. Continental will be the only airline with daily non-stop service between the two cities.
The new nonstop flight from Laredo, Texas, complements Continental's existing service to Mexico City from Houston, Texas; New York/Newark; McAllen and San Antonio, Texas. Continental serves 28 Mexican destinations -- more than any other airline from the U.S.
"The Laredo/Nuevo Laredo area is an economically vibrant region at the heart of the U.S.-Mexico free trade zone," said Pete Garcia, Staff Vice President, Latin America, Continental Airlines. "We are very pleased to offer this convenient non-stop flight from Laredo to Mexico City, enabling passengers to conduct business or visit family and friends in Mexico's capital without a time-consuming border crossing."
The Laredo-Mexico City flight schedule is conveniently timed for international business travelers as well as leisure passengers, Continental officials said. The daily nonstop flight will depart Laredo at 8:30 p.m., arriving in Mexico City at 10:17 p.m. The return flight will depart Mexico City at 6:20 a.m., arriving in Laredo at 8:10 a.m.
Continental Express will utilize the 37-passenger Embraer regional jet on its nonstop service on the new Laredo - Mexico City route. The RJs feature a fully equipped galley, a spacious lavatory, and a comfortable interior with only window and aisle seating.
Continental Airlines serves 63 destinations in 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Continental offers a number of Spanish-language services, including bilingual flight attendants on many flights to Latin America and bilingual personnel, reservations agents and signage in the airports. Passengers may make reservations in Spanish at 1-800-537-9222. Continental Airlines has been named for seven consecutive years to Hispanic Magazine's list of "100 Best Companies for Hispanics" (1998-2004).
Continental Airlines is the world's sixth-largest airline with more than 2,900 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Continental serves 149 domestic and 119 international destinations -- more than any other airline in the world -- and nearly 200 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With 42,000 employees, the airline has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and carries approximately 51 million passengers per year. In 2004, Continental has earned awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. FORTUNE ranks Continental one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America, an honor it has earned for six consecutive years, and also ranks Continental as the top airline in its Most Admired Global Companies in 2004. The carrier won major awards at the 2004 OAG Airline of the Year Awards including "Airline of the Year," "Best Airline Based in North America" and "Best Executive/Business Class." For more company information, visit continental.com.
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