Continental Airlines has announced that it has selected Chautauqua Airlines to provide and operate 44 regional jets as a Continental Express carrier beginning in 2007, under a new capacity purchase agreement.Chautauqua, a subsidiary of Republic Airways, will operate 50-seat regional jets on Continental’s behalf, under the Continental Express brand. Continental will continue to schedule and market all of its Continental Express regional jet service.

“In selecting Chautauqua, we’ve identified a regional operator that can uphold our high standards for reliable, quality service, while delivering that service at competitive rates,” said Continental Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner.

“We know the Continental team and are delighted to be a part of their network,” said Bryan Bedford, chairman, president and CEO of Republic Airways Holdings, parent company of Chautauqua Airlines. “We look forward to providing excellent service to Continental and its customers.”

In April 2006, Continental announced that Chautauqua would operate any of the aircraft that ExpressJet Airlines elected to return to Continental under the Continental-ExpressJet capacity purchase agreement. ExpressJet’s decision to retain all 69 aircraft provided Continental with the opportunity to examine options for replacing the regional capacity provided by those aircraft. Chautauqua will supply the 44 aircraft that it will operate under the new capacity purchase agreement. Continental currently has no plans to replace 25 of the 69 50-seat regional jets retained by ExpressJet.
——-