News Release
Continental Express Opens New Regional Jet Maintenance Facility
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2000 -- Continental Express, the regional airline subsidiary of Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL and CAL.A), and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority today opened the doors to the new regional jet maintenance facility with an unveiling ceremony.
"This new state-of-the-art maintenance facility is yet another way we focus on safely maintaining our airplanes," said Continental Airlines President and COO Greg Brenneman. "Continental Express mechanics are going to enjoy coming to work in this top-notch hangar."
The new facility is home to the overnight maintenance work for Continental Express’ fleet of Embraer 145 and 135 regional jets, and it has the capability to handle heavy maintenance of the regional jet. The 81,000-square-foot-hangar accommodates four regional jets and supports office and shop space. Located on the northeast quadrant of the airport property, the new facility employs approximately 100 mechanics and related support personnel.
"This facility offers all the latest technology to help us maintain our fleet of 91, and counting, regional jets," said Continental Express President Jim Ream. "And with Knoxville's central location to our hubs, we can flow our aircraft through this new maintenance hangar in a productive and efficient manner."
The airline chose to locate the new facility at McGhee Tyson Airport because of Knoxville’s central location to Continental Airlines’ three hubs - Houston, Cleveland and Newark. East Tennessee also was chosen for its attractive economy and quality of life.
Continental Express serves Knoxville from each of its hubs. The airline offers two daily flights between Knoxville and each of its hubs, Houston, Newark and Cleveland.
Continental Express serves more than 8.5 million customers annually. As a regional air carrier to Continental Airlines, Express offers more than 1,000 daily departures to more than 100 cities from its hubs in Newark, Houston and Cleveland. Continental Express offers advance seat assignments and OnePass frequent flyer miles which can be redeemed anywhere in the world Continental and its partner airlines fly.