Continental Airlines reported a May consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 81.0 percent, 1.9 points above last year’s May consolidated load factor.The carrier reported a mainline load factor of 81.0 percent, 1.2 points above the May 2005 mainline load factor, and a domestic mainline load factor of 83.9 percent, 2.7 points above May 2005.

All three were records for May. In addition, the airline had an international mainline load factor of 78.0 percent, the same as in May 2005.

During the month, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 74.1 percent and a mainline completion factor of 99.9 percent.

In May 2006, Continental flew 7.6 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 9.4 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a traffic increase of 14.6 percent and a capacity increase of 11.9 percent as compared to May 2005. In May 2006, Continental flew 6.7 billion mainline RPMs and 8.3 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic increase of 13.5 percent and a mainline capacity increase of 11.8 percent as compared to May 2005. Domestic mainline traffic was 3.6 billion RPMs in May 2006, up 7.9 percent from May 2005, and domestic mainline capacity was 4.3 billion ASMs, up 4.6 percent from May 2005.

For May 2006, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is estimated to have increased between 8.5 and 9.5 percent compared to May 2005, while mainline passenger RASM is estimated to have increased between 7.0 and 8.0 percent compared to May 2005. For April 2006, consolidated passenger RASM increased 12.9 percent compared to April 2005, while mainline passenger RASM increased 12.0 percent from April 2005.

May 2006 sales at continental.com increased 52.0 percent over May 2005.

Continental’s regional operations had a record May load factor of 81.1 percent, 7.4 points above last year’s May load factor. Regional RPMs were 913.1 million and regional ASMs were 1,125.9 million in May 2006, resulting in a traffic increase of 23.5 percent and a capacity increase of 12.3 percent versus May 2005.

Continental Airlines, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,200 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 152 domestic and 138 international destinations. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 42,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 61 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.

For the third consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2006 list of Most Admired Global Companies. Continental was also named the No. 1 airline on the publication’s 2006 America’s Most Admired airline industry list. Additionally, Continental again won major awards at the OAG Airline of the Year Awards including “Best Airline Based in North America” for the third year in a row, and “Best Executive/Business Class” for the fourth consecutive year. For more company information, visit continental.com .
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