CONTINENTAL AIRLINES LAUNCHES FLIGHTS BETWEEN NEW YORK AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

CHICAGO, Feb. 18, 2011 – Continental Airlines inaugurated today nonstop flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS). Initially the flights will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, converting to daily service on March 6, 2011.

“We are pleased to offer convenient access to Providenciales, a world-class get-away and an exciting new addition to the list of Caribbean destinations served by Continental and United,” said Rigoberto Alvarenga, Continental Airlines’ Regional Director Caribbean.

The approximately three-and-a-half-hour flight (CO 610) will depart Newark at 9:35 a.m., arriving in Providenciales at 1:10 p.m. The return flight (CO 609) will depart Providenciales at 2:05 p.m., arriving in Newark at 5:45 p.m. Continental will utilize a Boeing 737-800 for the new service with seating for 160 passengers (16 in first class and 144 in economy).

“The Tourist Board is delighted with the new Continental service to the islands from Newark, which is the main airline hub in the northeastern United States,” commented Ralph Higgs, director of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board. “This is a step in the right direction for us, and it reinforces the fact that our continued marketing and promotional efforts are paying off. Turks and Caicos has the airlift, the attractions, the services and amenities and, more importantly, we have the friendliest personalities that will make each visitor feel welcomed and ensure that they will come to visit us again and again. The Tourist Board is excited that this service will present new travel options for potential visitors and investors, and we join our tourism partners in welcoming Continental Airlines.”
The new service complements the airline’s service to other top Caribbean leisure destinations like Aruba, Punta Cana and Nassau. A popular vacation destination, Providenciales (also called Provo) is the most well known of the Turks and Caicos Islands. While geographically part of the Bahamas chain of islands, Turks and Caicos Islands is a separate country consisting of 40 different islands and cays. Providenciales features the 12-mile white-sand Grace Bay Beach, ranked “Best Beach” by Condé Nast magazine and by the World Travel Awards for several years. Visitors also can enjoy the island’s coral reef; water sports such as diving, snorkeling and fishing; golf; a marine park; the world’s first conch farm; and luxury hotels, villas and spas. Providenciales’ official language is English, and its currency is the U. S. dollar.

About Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL). Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,600 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 142 domestic and 140 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries through its 28 member airlines. Continental has hubs serving Cleveland, Guam, Houston and New York, and together with its regional partners carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.

United Continental Holdings, Inc., became the holding company for both United and Continental upon close of the merger transaction. The two airlines will operate separately as they begin to integrate key customer services, marketing activities and airport processes. For more company information, go to continental.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.