News Release
Continental Airlines, Aserca Airlines Venezuela and Air Aruba Announce Marketing Alliances
HOUSTON, September 18, 1998 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAI.B and CAI.A) today announced it has formed cooperative marketing alliances with both Aserca Airlines Venezuela (Aeroservicios Carabobo C.A), and Air Aruba. Later this year, the carriers will begin jointly marketing flights between the United States and both Venezuela and Aruba, respectively.
The alliance agreements provide for enhanced connections between the carriers and, subject to government approval, codesharing on Continental's flights between the U.S. and Venezuela and on Aserca's flights to domestic Venezuelan destinations beyond Caracas. Continental and Air Aruba, subject to government approval, will codeshare on Continental's flights between Houston and Aruba, and on Air Aruba's flights between Aruba and New York/Newark, Miami and Tampa. Travelers will be able to check-in at their point of origin through to their final destination, and earn and redeem OnePass frequent flyer miles on either carrier.
"Aserca and Air Aruba are highly respected airlines and these new alliances are a valued addition to our growing Latin American network," said Greg Brenneman, president and chief operating officer for Continental Airlines. "In addition to our daily non-stop flights between Caracas and both Newark and Houston, Continental will soon be able to provide convenient connections to major business centers within Venezuela. Furthermore, through our cooperation with Air Aruba, Continental will be able to offer our customers expanded options for travel to this beautiful and popular Caribbean island."
"This agreement between Continental and Aserca Airlines is an exciting stage in the growth of our airline," said Dr. Julian Villalba, executive president of Aserca Airlines Venezuela. "From our beginning, we have focused on delivering the highest quality service to our passengers. Aserca Airlines is now the established standard for service in Venezuela and is regarded as the most efficient carrier in our country. It is only natural that we now partner with Continental, an equally regarded airline in the United States."
Aserca Airlines Venezuela recently invested in Air Aruba, a carrier that provides service between that island and eight destinations in the United States and Latin America.
"We have exciting expansion plans for Air Aruba," said Mr. Simeon Garcia, chairman of the board of Aserca Airlines Venezuela and president of Air Aruba. "Our new alliance with Continental will help us accelerate this expansion by providing the most complete service between the United States and Aruba."
Aserca Airlines Venezuela offers more than 1,300 weekly departures to nine major domestic and three Caribbean destinations (Aruba, Santo Domingo and St. Maarten). The carrier's headquarters are located in Valencia (Estado Carabobo), a major industrial center in Venezuela. Through the international Simon Bolivar Airport in Maiquetia, Aserca serves the city of Caracas with more than 35 daily departures and 100 connections within the country. The airline employs 1,200 people at nine airports throughout Venezuela. Aserca offers full business class seating, an open bar and snacks as part of its on- board service.
Continental is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,000 departures daily to 125 domestic and 67 international destinations. Operating major hubs in Newark, Houston and Cleveland, Continental (http://www.flycontinental.com) is strategically positioned for transcontinental travel, and offers extensive service to Latin America and Europe via its Houston and Newark gateways. Continental is the No. 2 U.S. carrier to Latin America in number of destinations and passengers served. Continental serves 20 countries and 36 cities in Latin America and the Caribbean operating daily non-stop flights for nearly 500 weekly departures to the region.