George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s (IAH) largest air carrier, Continental Airlines has announced new nonstop service from Houston to Edmonton International Airport (YEG) beginning November 1, 2009, subject to government approval.

"We are pleased to add Edmonton to our portfolio of Canadian destinations," said Jim Compton, Continental's executive vice president of marketing. "The flight allows connections to Continental's vast network across the Southern United States, Mexico and Latin America."

The daily flight is the 11th Canadian destination to be served by Continental and the fourth Canadian destination from the airline's Houston hub.

"This is one of those connections that just makes perfect sense,” says Genaro Pena, Deputy Assistant Director for marketing with the Houston Airport System. “Edmonton and Houston both represent key energy epicenters for their respective countries and now we have nonstop service to make that connection even stronger in the future.”

Edmonton, Alberta's capital, is the gateway to majestic mountains, pristine lakes, historic rivers and northern industries of oil, gas, lumber and mining. Strategically located between the world's second-largest oil reserves and the world's largest energy market, Edmonton plays a vital role in the development of the Athabasca oil sands.

Greater Edmonton supports the energy industry as a center for upgrading and refining petrochemicals, pipelines, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics. Edmonton is at the crossroads of international trade routes linking Asia Pacific with eastern North America and Mexico with Alaska.