Continental Airlines Reports August 2010 Operational Performance

HOUSTON, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today reported an August consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 86.5 percent, 0.7 points above the August 2009 consolidated load factor, and a mainline load factor of 87.2 percent, 0.6 points above the August 2009 mainline load factor. Both load factors were records for the month. The carrier reported an August domestic mainline load factor of 88.4 percent, 0.4 points below the August 2009 domestic mainline load factor, and a record international mainline load factor of 86.1 percent, 1.5 points above August 2009.

During August, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 87.1 percent and a mainline segment completion factor of 99.9 percent.

In August 2010, Continental flew 8.7 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 10.1 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a consolidated traffic decrease of 0.4 percent and a capacity decrease of 1.1 percent as compared to August 2009. In August 2010, Continental flew 7.9 billion mainline RPMs and 9.0 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic decrease of 0.7 percent and a mainline capacity decrease of 1.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Domestic mainline traffic was 3.8 billion RPMs in August 2010, down 2.6 percent from August 2009, and domestic mainline capacity was 4.3 billion ASMs, down 2.1 percent from August 2009.

For August 2010, both consolidated and mainline passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) are estimated to have increased between 18.0 and 19.0 percent compared to August 2009. For July 2010, consolidated passenger RASM increased 21.2 percent compared to July 2009, while mainline passenger RASM increased 21.9 percent compared to the same period last year.

Continental's regional operations had a record August load factor of 80.5 percent, 1.3 points above the August 2009 regional load factor. Regional RPMs were 877.7 million and regional ASMs were 1,089.9 million in August 2010, resulting in a traffic increase of 2.0 percent and a capacity increase of 0.3 percent versus August 2009.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,700 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 132 domestic and 137 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries through its 28 member airlines. With more than 40,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.  

Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For nine consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine has ranked Continental as the top U.S. airline on its "World's Most Admired Companies" airline industry list. For more company information, go to continental.com.

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. For examples of such risks and uncertainties, please see the risk factors set forth in the company's 2009 Form 10-K and its other securities filings, including any amendments thereto, which identify important matters such as the risks and uncertainties relating to the company's proposed merger with a subsidiary of UAL Corporation, including the restrictions on the conduct of the company's business pending the merger, the potential loss of management and other key personnel, and the potential failure of the merger to close in the expected time frame or at all, the risks and uncertainties relating to the company generally, including the potential for significant volatility in the cost of aircraft fuel, the consequences of its high leverage and other significant capital commitments, its high labor and pension costs, delays in scheduled aircraft deliveries, service interruptions at one of its hub airports, disruptions to the operations of its regional operators, disruptions in its computer systems, and the risks and uncertainties relating to the airline industry, including continuing weakness in the U.S. and global economies, the airline pricing environment, terrorist attacks, regulatory matters, excessive taxation, industry consolidation and airline alliances, the availability and cost of insurance, public health threats and the seasonal nature of the airline business. 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