WASHINGTON, July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) today approved the application for Continental Airlines
(NYSE: CAL) to join the existing antitrust immunized alliance including United
Airlines and eight other Star Alliance member carriers.
"We are pleased to receive final approval from the Department of
Transportation," said Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and CEO.
"Continental is working to provide a seamless transition for its customers
from the SkyTeam alliance to Star Alliance this fall. The DOT decision
greatly benefits our customers, employees and shareholders. It ensures global
competition with other antitrust immunized alliances while encouraging the
retention and growth of open skies between the U.S. and other nations."
"Today's decision from the Department of Transportation facilitates the
development of a competitive partnership that is good for consumers, our
employees and the communities we serve," said Glenn Tilton, United's chairman,
president and CEO. "United, Continental and the Star Alliance carriers will be
able to compete more effectively in an increasingly global air travel market,
while providing our respective customers with improved access to more of the
world and creating opportunities for our employees."
Continental and United expressed their appreciation to the numerous
community and civic parties whose enthusiastic support has been critical to
the airlines' efforts to secure this approval. The airlines also thank their
employees, their millions of customers and the travel professionals,
congressional, state and local government representatives and business
partners who urged timely approval of the application.
Continental and United also expressed their appreciation for the efforts
of DOT Secretary Ray LaHood and his staff who have worked diligently to
protect the needs of consumers, communities and airline employees by
finalizing its order with modest adjustments while recognizing the issues
facing the industry.
In addition to United, the eight Star Alliance members who have been
granted DOT approval for antitrust immunity are Air Canada, Austrian, bmi,
Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), SWISS and TAP Air
Portugal.
Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental,
together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than
2,750 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133
domestic and 132 international destinations. With more than 43,000 employees,
Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and
together with its regional partners, carries approximately 67 million
passengers per year.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Continental consistently earns
awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.
For the sixth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1
World's Most Admired Airline on its 2009 list of World's Most Admired
Companies. For more company information, go to continental.com.
United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates over 3,100 flights a day on United
and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international
destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and
Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region,
Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers
based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star
Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 912 destinations in
159 countries worldwide. United's 48,500 employees reside in every U.S. state
and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information
about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.
*Based on United's forward-looking flight schedule for July 1, 2009, to
July 1, 2010
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not
limited to historical facts, but reflect the company's current beliefs,
expectations or intentions regarding future events. All forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Examples of
such risks and uncertainties include receipt of various regulatory approvals,
successful negotiation of documents implementing the planned alliances,
Continental exiting certain of its current alliance relationships, and other
approvals. Please read Continental's current report on Form 8-K filed on June
19, 2008 for additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties.
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise
after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable law.
SOURCE
Continental Airlines
CONTACT:
Continental Corporate Communications, +1-713-324-5080; or
United Worldwide Press Office, +1-312-997-8640
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