News Release
Continental Airlines Will Apply for Permission to Fly to Argentina
HOUSTON, Texas, August 13, 1999 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL and CAL.A) today said it will apply for permission to fly between the U.S. and Argentina, as a result of the U.S./Argentine bilateral agreement approved yesterday.
This agreement will allow U.S. airlines to open routes between Argentina and the United States in September 2000, June 2001 and June 2002. An unrestricted open skies agreement will begin in 2003.
Continental said it will initially file to open a route between Argentina and its hub at Newark International Airport. In the future, Continental expects to apply for a route between Argentina and its hub at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
"As the second largest carrier to Latin America, Continental is ideally positioned to provide the most competition to the Argentine market," a Continental spokesperson said. "Argentina is the critical link which could complete Continental’s Latin American network, allowing us to be competitive in this part of the world. Continental also would like to thank the U.S. Department of Transportation and the State Department negotiators for creating this opportunity to serve Argentina."
Continental serves 20 countries and 39 cities in Latin America and operates daily nonstop flights for more than 500 weekly departures, making it the second largest carrier to Latin America and the Caribbean in number of destinations and passengers served. All flights to Latin America feature Business class or premier BusinessFirst service, international cuisine, and award-winning OnePass frequent flyer privileges.
Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,200 departures daily to 130 domestic and 85 international destinations. Operating major hubs in Newark, Houston and Cleveland, Continental (http://www.continental.com) has extensive service throughout the Americas, and to Europe and Asia. Continental recently initiated a strategic global alliance with Northwest Airlines. Continental is in the top half of FORTUNE magazine’s "100 Best Companies to Work for in America," and has won first or second place Frequent Flyer Magazine and J.D. Power awards for four consecutive years. Continental has received numerous awards for its BusinessFirst premium cabin (Condé Nast Traveler, OAG Official Airline Guides, Entrepreneur and Smart Money magazines), OnePass frequent flyer program (InsideFlyer’s Freddie Awards) and overall operations and management (Air Transport World’s 1997 Airline of the Year).