News Release
Continental Airlines Applies for Permission to Fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina
HOUSTON, Texas, August 25, 1999 -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL and CAL.A) today announced that it has applied for permission to provide daily, nonstop service between New York/Newark, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, which would begin Sept. 1, 2000.
The application is a result of the bilateral agreement signed between the U.S. and Argentine governments on Aug. 12, 1999, which allows for new airlines to service Argentina. Only one airline will be awarded the U.S.-Argentina frequencies to begin in September 2000.
If awarded the seven weekly flights to Buenos Aires, Continental will expand its Latin American network, making the carrier more competitive in this part of the world. Buenos Aires is the only major South American capital not served by Continental. Continental initially plans to use a DC10-30 aircraft on the route.
In the future, Continental expects to apply for a daily, nonstop route between Buenos Aires and its hub at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
As the second largest U.S. carrier to Latin America and the Caribbean in number of destinations and passengers served, Continental serves 20 countries and 39 cities in Latin America, operating daily, nonstop flights for more than 500 weekly departures. 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).