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Newsroom
By Houston Chronicle
October 26, 2009
For Houstonians, and those many thousands who transit daily through Bush Intercontinental Airport on their journeys elsewhere, the skies are getting bigger.
As of today, Continental Airlines is hooking up with United Airlines and 23 other carriers as part of what's called the Star Alliance. Continental exited its SkyTeam alliance with Delta and other carriers last Saturday.
When Continental makes a decision, whether it's related to service or personnel, it creates a ripple of impact all across the Houston region. It's a good ripple, in this case. We believe the airline's decision to join the Star Alliance will be a benefit to air travelers, the city and the regional economy. We congratulate Continental and extend every best wish for its success.
Our congratulations to the hometown airline are Houston-interested. We supported Continental's efforts to join the Star Alliance because we believed the alliance would strengthen the airline competitively. We still do. When that happens, Houston benefits.
Joining the alliance gives Continental the benefits of a merger with United Airlines without the downside. For Houston, the very important upside means keeping our city's position as headquarters for Continental, with the thousands of jobs and contributions to community life that brings.
Membership in the industry's largest alliance will also mean:
• A larger traffic base for Houston, as passengers from 24 airlines are linked into Continental service.
• Enhancement of Houston as a gateway to Latin America as more passengers are funneled to that region via IAH.
• Better connections globally as hundreds of additional destinations are added to Continental's 163 nonstops.
The switch to the Star Alliance has the immediate effect of bringing nonstop Continental service from IAH to Washington, D.C.'s Dulles airport three times daily, as well as daily nonstop service to Frankfurt, Germany, and Edmonton, Alberta .
Over the years, Continental has earned a deserved reputation for safe, friendly, reliable service; and that has reflected favorably on Houston. The hometown airline's move into the Star Alliance only promises to polish that reputation.
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