One Of Four Airlines Vying For Prestigious, Potentially Lucrative Run

Last week, Continental Airlines received the endorsement of its pilots' union, a unit of the Air Line Pilots' Association International (ALPA), in its efforts to provide service between Newark, NJ and Shanghai.

Citing the strong support of Continental Airlines' pilots, union leader Captain Dave Earnest urged the US Department of Transportation to approve Continental's application for service linking the financial and commercial capitals of New York/Newark and Shanghai.

"Winning the route to the large and growing Chinese market would help to continue the ongoing growth that began two years ago at Continental," Earnest said. "We made a huge investment in this enterprise back in March 2005, and it is gratifying to see the airline carrying through on its promise to use that investment to provide future growth.

"Continental's agreement with its pilots already provides for these flights, and the pilots are ready, willing and more than able to operate Shanghai service," he added. "If the Department of Transportation makes the right decision, Continental pilots will be flying to Shanghai in 2007."

ALPA represents Continental's 4,600 pilots.

Continental proposes to serve the largest market without current nonstop service between the US and China, Newark-Shanghai. New York/Newark-Shanghai is the only proposal on the table that will serve the largest American metropolitan area, and the second largest Asian and Chinese populations in the country.

Continental says its proposal for the prestigious route will bring first-time daily, nonstop service to the US east coast from Shanghai, and will drive more trade and commerce for the entire US than any other proposal under consideration. American Airlines, United, and Northwest also have bids in.

As Aero-News reported last week, American Airlines is having issues bringing its pilots onboard to its proposed service to China from Dallas-Fort Worth International.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, the airline claims more than 3,200 daily departures. 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines.

FMI: www.continental.com