Continental Increases Routes, Frequency Out Of Newark
<B> Continental Increases Routes, Frequency Out Of Newark</B>
By Frank Rosci
Continental Airlines, the nation's fifth largest carrier, will further expand its hub operations at Newark International Airport by offering several new routes and expanding flight frequency on preexisting ones.
"Newark's growth prospects remain impressive as passenger traffic continues to build, particularly on our new international services," said president and COO Greg Brenneman.
Continental is launching direct flights to Caracas (May 7), Halifax (Feb. 12), Ottawa, Nassau (Feb. 1), and Austin, Texas (April 5).
The carrier also will expand the number of flights out of Newark to Toronto, from four to five per day beginning March 1; Bermuda, from one to two per day beginning May 1; to Minneapolis/St. Paul, from three to four per day beginning May 1; and to Dallas/Ft. Worth, from four to five per day beginning May 1.
"With these additional flights, we have announced a total of 11 new international routes from Newark in 1998, giving our customers more access for business travel and vacation trips," he added.
According to the company, the added service is a response to the overall success of the carrier's operations at Newark.
"Flights at Newark, our second largest hub after Houston, have been so successful that we simply felt the time was right to expand service," said a spokesperson for Continental.
With the added destinations and greater frequency, the airline is expected to lure even more business passengers from LaGuardia and JFK.
Previously, Continental had announced it was adding a second flight from Newark to Cancun effective Feb. 12, and had rescheduled its daily service to Rio de Janeiro as an overnight flight in both directions, beginning Feb. 1.
With the additional flights, Continental and Contintal Express now have 361 daily departures.
A side effect of the increasing growth at Newark is the growing passenger congestion, including the number of taxicabs from New York City crowding the departure and arrivals ramps. As a result, business travelers are advised to plan for extra travel time to and from the city.