Continental Airlines to Resume Flights Monday at Houston

HOUSTON, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Continental Airlines is preparing to resume mainline jet flights Monday, Sept. 15, at its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) following the carrier’s suspension of operations Saturday and Sunday in Houston due to Hurricane Ike. The carrier plans to operate the vast majority of its schedule to and from IAH. The first flight is scheduled to arrive at 5:33 a.m. and the first departure is at 6:30 a.m. Continental Express and Continental Connection flights to and from the Houston hub will operate at a reduced level on Monday.

Continental employees from other domestic locations will fly into Houston to assist their co-workers in resuming operations at the IAH hub.

Normal operations will continue at the carrier’s New York and Cleveland hubs.

In a message earlier today to Continental’s 44,000 employees, nearly 20,000 of them Houston-based, Larry Kellner, Continental’s chairman and CEO said, "I know that my co-workers have gone through many sacrifices and hardships to try to return their personal lives to normalcy after Hurricane Ike, and they’ve helped each other and our customers in that effort. I want to thank them for all they’ve done. I also want to thank our customers, many of whom are sharing the same personal and professional challenges, for taking the time and effort to express their understanding and gratitude to our team.

As always, make sure your personal safety and the safety of our co-workers and customers is your top priority."

Passengers and Airport Employees Not Affected by Curfew

The Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security has informed Continental that the curfew currently in effect for the city does not apply to customers or employees driving or being driven to and from IAH.

Check Flight Status at continental.com

The aftermath of Hurricane Ike may force some delays and additional cancellations of scheduled flights to or from the Houston hub on Monday, and there will be modified food service on some flights. Customers are encouraged to check the status of their flight at continental.com before going to the airport. Travelers without confirmed same-day reservations should not go to IAH as the airline will not be able to accommodate itinerary changes or standby customers at the airport.

Change Flights Easily at continental.com

Customers booked on flights to, from or through the Houston hub and in the affected region are permitted a one-time date or time change to their itinerary without penalty for rescheduled travel. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details are available at continental.com. The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via continental.com.

Customers should enter their confirmation number and last name in "Manage Reservations."

Customers may also call Continental Airlines reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

continental.com provides an overview of Continental operations as well as up-to-date information regarding the status of specific flights. Automated flight status information is also available at 800-784-4444.

Continental Airlines

CONTACT: Corporate Communications of Continental Airlines,+1-713-324-5080, corpcomm@coair.com, News archive,continental.com/company/news

Web site: http://www.continental.com/