NEW YORK, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines today submitted its rebuttal exhibits to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in support of its case to provide daily, nonstop service in the largest China market not currently served by a U.S. carrier, New York/Newark-Shanghai, and to offer through flight service between Cleveland and Shanghai.
Continental said the proposals filed by American, Northwest and United should be denied, and DOT should immediately award Continental the seven weekly frequencies that come available in 2007 so that Continental can begin its new Shanghai service in March of next year. Continental cites the following regarding its application:
MORE CONSUMERS WIN: * The New York/Newark-Shanghai market is nearly five times larger than the Dallas/Ft. Worth-Beijing market; is more than two times larger than the Detroit-Shanghai market; and is half again as large as the Washington-Beijing market. COMPETITION IS ENHANCED: * United holds a near monopoly on U.S.-China nonstop routes as it operates four times the number of nonstop U.S.-China frequencies as any other airline, operates two-thirds of the U.S.-China nonstop frequencies operated by U.S. carriers, and already provides twice daily nonstop service to Shanghai and Beijing. With all of these route authorities, United could have started Washington, D.C.-Beijing service years ago -- and it doesn't need to deprive the more numerous New York/Newark-Shanghai passengers of the nonstop service they deserve. U.S. ECONOMY BENEFITS: * The nationwide economic stimulus generated by new, daily, nonstop service between two of the world's largest financial centers is far superior to what American, Northwest or United bring to the marketplace.
A Continental spokesperson said, "It would be a travesty to exacerbate the current United monopoly with a fifth nonstop flight between two cities the airline could serve today when more U.S. consumers in New York/Newark are in need of first-time daily air service to Shanghai. American's proposal for Dallas/Ft. Worth-Beijing service has the smallest traffic base of all, -- so small that the entire daily Dallas/Ft. Worth-Beijing market size could fit into American Eagle's smallest regional jet with empty seats to spare. As for Northwest, the airline is already wasting three valuable passenger frequencies for service between Tokyo and China, and Northwest, like United, could serve its proposal today without sacrificing the largest un-served U.S.-China market in New York/Newark."
Valuable limited entry rights should be awarded to the application that benefits the most U.S. consumers and provides the biggest boost to the U.S. economy, rather than to airlines which already dominate the market or to airlines which propose to serve significantly smaller markets.
Continental's Cleveland-New York/Newark-Shanghai market continues to be well supported among the airline's employees, customers, communities and business partners. "A special thanks to our employees who helped generate an unprecedented level of support, which as of today totals over 110,000 signatures," said the Continental spokesperson. In addition, Continental thanks the many other Government officials, civic associations and corporate travel partners that have supported its route case:
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
The Newark Regional Business Partnership
The Ohio Parties
The entire New Jersey Delegation
12 members of the Northern Ohio delegation
10 members of the Houston/Southeast Texas delegation
New York Governor Pataki
New Jersey Governor Corzine
Lt. Governor of Ohio Johnson
New York City Mayor Bloomberg
Newark City Mayor Booker
Elizabeth, N.J. Mayor Bollwage
Cleveland Mayor Jackson
Houston Mayor White
New York City Comptroller Thompson
Partnership for New York City
New York City Economic Development Corporation
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
New Jersey Commerce and Industry Association
New Jersey Business and Industry Association
Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce
Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Cleveland Partnership
The Greater Houston Partnership
The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Members of the New Jersey and Ohio State Legislatures
Mayors and Chambers of Commerce from cities across the U.S. including:
Birmingham, Ala.; Brownsville, Texas, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Cincinnati,
Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Harlingen, Texas; Honolulu, Hawaii; Huntsville,
Ala.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Madison, Wis.; Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,200 daily departures throughout 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With 44,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 151 domestic and 136 international destinations. More than Continental Express, carries approximately 61 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.
In 2006, Continental Airlines won its sixth J.D. Power and Associates award since 1996. The carrier received the highest rank in customer satisfaction among network carriers in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Airline Satisfaction Index Survey(SM). For the third consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2006 list of Most Admired Global Companies. Continental was also named the No. 1 airline on the publication's 2006 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 third year in a row, and "Best Executive/Business Class" for the fourth consecutive year. For more company information, visit continental.com .
