Continental Airlines Announces Major Expansion at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

    CLEVELAND, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines
 (NYSE:   CAL), along with Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Governor Ted Strickland,
 announced a plan by Continental to grow its capacity at Cleveland Hopkins
 International Airport (CLE) by 40 percent over a two-year period.
 Continental will initially operate 50 new flights, principally on regional
 jets, and add 20 new nonstop destinations by next summer. By early 2009,
 Continental plans to add more than a dozen additional flights, principally
 on mainline aircraft, further strengthening Cleveland's role in
 Continental's global route network. The project is expected to create an
 estimated 700 Ohio jobs.
     Many of the regional jet aircraft used for the additional service will
 be reallocated from Newark. Beginning in 2009, a number of additional
 mainline aircraft will also be allocated to support the growth.
     Today's announcement is the result of a partnership among Continental,
 the City of Cleveland and the State of Ohio.
     "This growth strengthens Cleveland and gives customers more options
 when connecting within the Continental system," said Larry Kellner,
 Continental chairman and chief executive officer. "Mayor Jackson's
 partnership, support for air service development and his strong management
 team at Hopkins were crucial to our decision. We're also grateful for the
 leadership and support of Governor Strickland, Lt. Governor Fisher and the
 State of Ohio, the support of Cleveland City Council and the Ohio
 Congressional delegation. All this support has helped make it possible for
 us to grow our presence here."
     "Continental Airlines is making a significant investment in the City of
 Cleveland and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. This strategic
 investment is designed to maximize Cleveland's assets, create a positive
 environment for business and serve as a vehicle for tourism to the entire
 Cleveland Plus region," said Mayor Jackson. "I'd like to thank Mr. Kellner,
 Mr. Smisek, Governor Strickland, Lt. Governor Fisher, Director Smith and
 all who worked with me and my staff to make this vision for Cleveland a
 reality."
     "The State of Ohio is proud to partner in this effort to support this
 major expansion in the great City of Cleveland," said Governor Strickland.
     The State offered an incentive package valued at more than $16 million;
 to date, Continental has been awarded a $900,000 Rapid Outreach Grant, a
 70-percent, 10-year Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit, an Ohio Investment in
 Training program grant valued at up to $550,000, as well as employment
 pre-screening, testing and recruitment services through the Ohio Department
 of Job and Family Services.
     "Ohio's world-class transportation infrastructure and airports are
 strengths for our communities that enhance our economic development goals,
 and this expansion will bolster Cleveland Hopkins and support business
 development in Northeast Ohio," said Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, who also
 serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Continental's
 expanded air service at Cleveland Hopkins will benefit the entire state by
 improving access to Ohio and demonstrating to expanding businesses one more
 reason why more than 1,000 internationally owned establishments from 26
 countries are located in Ohio."
     Growth to Take Place in Three Phases During 2007 to 2009: Phase One
     Phase one was launched with a significant increase in capacity in 2007
 in many mainline markets from Cleveland including:
                 Destination                % capacity increase
                 San Francisco                    45%
                 Orlando                          33%
                 Seattle                          32%
                 Los Angeles                      10%
     Seasonal flights to San Diego also began in late December 2006.
     The 2007 capacity increase has been achieved through a combination of
 adding additional flight frequency and using larger aircraft on these
 routes.
     New service to Quebec City began in June of 2007.
     Later this month, twice daily flights to Oklahoma City and daily
 service to Ottawa will begin.
     As a result of the growth in 2007, Continental's operation in Cleveland
 will be 10 percent larger in 2007 than in 2006.
     Phase Two: 12 New Nonstop Destinations
     In early 2008, Continental will add 27 new flights to 12 new nonstop
 destinations including:
         New Destination            Frequency            Effective Date
         Greensboro, N.C. (GSO)     Three times daily    March 3, 2008
         Omaha, Neb. (OMA)          Three times daily    March 3, 2008
         Savannah, Ga. (SAV)        Twice daily          March 3, 2008
         Birmingham, Ala. (BHM)     Twice daily          April 6, 2008
         Charleston, S.C. (CHS)     Once daily           April 6, 2008
         Green Bay, Wis. (GRB)      Twice daily          April 6, 2008
         Tulsa, Okla. (TUL)         Twice daily          April 6, 2008
         Little Rock, Ark. (LIT)    Twice daily          May 4, 2008
         Memphis, Tenn. (MEM)       Twice daily          May 4, 2008
         Lansing, Mich. (LAN)       Three times daily    May 4, 2008
         Des Moines, Iowa (DSM)     Twice daily          June 12, 2008
         Kalamazoo, Mich. (AZO)     Three times daily    June 12, 2008
        (Weekend schedules may vary).
     In addition, previously announced seasonal service to Paris Charles de
 Gaulle airport (CDG) will begin May 22, 2008. The flight is planned to
 depart Cleveland at 7:05 p.m. and arrive in Paris at 9:05 a.m. the
 following day. The return flight will depart Paris at 10:50 a.m. on May 23,
 2008, and arrive in Cleveland at 2:00 p.m. the same day. Both flights are
 served with a Boeing 757 aircraft featuring Continental's award-winning
 BusinessFirst cabin. Paris is the second European destination served by
 Continental from Cleveland, following London Gatwick airport (LGW).
     Customers may go online today at continental.com to begin booking and
 ticketing the new flights. In addition, customers have the option of making
 reservations by calling Continental at 1-800-523-FARE, or contacting their
 local travel agent. Introductory fares will be offered in the new markets.
 (See attached sheet).
     Additional cities to be announced later will also be added during Phase
 Two.
     Following the completion of the second phase of the expansion in June
 2008, Continental expects to be providing 300 daily departures from
 Cleveland, up from the 242 daily departures in June 2007. Total nonstop
 destinations served from Cleveland will grow from 80 today to 100.
     Phase Three
     Phase Three will be announced in 2008 and will add more nonstop
 destinations and a further increase in seats to existing Continental
 markets. The additional capacity will be in place for the peak summer 2009
 travel period.
                                   The Fleet
     Continental and its partners have deployed a diverse fleet of aircraft
 at the Cleveland hub. Flights are operated with Boeing 757s, 737s, Embraer
 and Canadair Regional Jets, Bombardier Q200s and Beechcraft 1900s. The
 Beechcraft 1900s will be entirely replaced by Q200s by April 2008. The
 37-seat Q200s are quiet, next-generation aircraft featuring
 state-of-the-art features for passenger comfort. The new routes will be
 flown by a combination of aircraft types operated by Continental and its
 regional airline partners.
     More Than 700 New Jobs
     In order to support the expanded schedule at the Cleveland hub,
 Continental expects that it and its regional airline partners will hire
 more than 700 new employees over the next 18 months. Positions will include
 airport sales agents and customer service agents. In addition, Continental
 is also hiring pilots and flight attendants. Continental career
 opportunities are posted at continental.com.
     Airport Improvements Support Expansion
     To support the growth of Cleveland, future facility plans call for an
 expanded security checkpoint area, a new meet-and-greet waiting area and
 additional ticket counters. A concession redevelopment program is underway
 to provide more retail and food and beverage options for travelers at
 Cleveland Hopkins -- at prices that are comparable to non-airport
 locations. Continental and the Airport are also reviewing different options
 to expand and/or relocate the current Federal Inspection Services (FIS) and
 customs hall.
     Already completed are a new runway and centralized de-icing pad, C
 Concourse ramp replacement, expansion of the Transportation Security
 Administration (TSA) bag room with a new in-line baggage screening system,
 and restroom renovations.
     Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental,
 together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than
 3,100 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving
 144 domestic and 138 international destinations. More than 400 additional
 points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 45,000
 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and
 Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 67
 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and
 critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.
     For the fourth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the
 No. 1 World's Most Admired Airline on its 2007 list of World's Most Admired
 Companies. Continental was also named the No. 1 airline on the
 publication's 2007 America's Most Admired airline industry list.
     Additionally, Continental again won major awards at the OAG Airline of
 the Year Awards including "Best Airline Based in North America" for the
 fourth year in a row, and "Best Executive/Business Class" for the fifth
 consecutive year. For more company information, visit continental.com.
                     CLEVELAND EXPANSION PROMOTIONAL FARES
 
                               CLEVELAND - PARIS
     Continental will offer a low introductory round-trip coach-class fare
 of $898 midweek/$958 weekend from Cleveland nonstop to Paris. Tickets must
 be purchased by Sept. 28, 2007. The fare is valid for travel from the day
 the service starts until Aug. 28, 2008. A Saturday night stay is required
 and there is a 30-day maximum stay. Tickets are non-refundable and a $200
 change fee applies. The sale fare does not include a $2.50 September 11
 security fee (each way), passenger facility charges up to $18 (round trip),
 and international taxes and fees of $94. Fares subject to change without
 notice, seats are limited and other restrictions apply.
     CLEVELAND - DOMESTIC
     Continental will offer a low introductory nonstop fare of $198 round
 trip from Cleveland to the following new markets:
     Greensboro, N.C.
     Omaha, Neb.
     Savannah, Ga.
     Birmingham, Ala.
     Charleston, S.C.
     Green Bay, Wis.
     Tulsa, Okla.
     Little Rock, Ark.
     Memphis, Tenn.
     Lansing, Mich.
     Des Moines, Iowa
     Kalamazoo, Mich.
     Tickets must be purchased by Sept. 28, 2007. The fare is valid for
 travel from the day the service starts until Aug. 28, 2008. A three-night
 or Friday night stay is required. Tickets are non-refundable and a $100
 change fee applies. The sale fare does not include a $3.40 per segment fee
 (each way), a $2.50 per segment September 11 security fee (each way), and
 passenger facility charges up to $18 (round trip). Fares subject to change
 without notice, seats are limited and other restrictions apply.
 
 

SOURCE Continental Airlines