News Release
Continental Receives Preliminary Approval From DOT to Fly Houston to Sao Paulo, Brazil
HOUSTON, December 29, 1998 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAI.A and CAI.B) today received tentative approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fly between Houston and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The DOT will review comments on its tentative decision and issue a final order awarding new Brazil route authority early next year. The route award also is subject to Brazilian government approval.
Sao Paulo, Brazil is one of the largest cities in South America and is a financial center for the region. Houston is Continental's largest hub with more than 500 daily departures throughout the U.S., Europe and Latin America.
Continental already serves Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with daily non-stop flights from its New York/Newark hub.
Serving 37 cities in 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Continental is the second largest U.S. carrier to the region in number of destinations served.
Continental is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,200 departures daily to 128 domestic and 69 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.