Continental Airlines has appointed Michelle Hurst as its Head of Corporate Sales for the United Kingdom, based at the airline’s U.K. & Ireland head office in Horley, Surrey.

In her new role, Hurst will oversee key agency relationships as well as exploring corporate opportunities nationwide to support Continental’s continued growth in the London and regional markets.  She replaces Stephen Craven, who has left the airline industry to pursue other opportunities.

“I am delighted that Michelle is taking over this key role,” said Bob Schumacher, the airline’s Senior Director U.K. & Ireland.  “These are very exciting times for Continental in the UK as we continue to develop our unique range of services from regional airports and plan for our debut at Heathrow in Summer 2008.”

Hurst was previously Corporate Sales Manager at Continental, having joined the airline’s Sales team as Corporate Sales Executive in 2003.  Prior to that she was a Customer Service Agent with the airline’s Airport Services division at London Gatwick, having joined the company in 1999.

Continental flies non-stop to the U.S.A. from more cities in the U.K. than any other airline.  The airline operates up to six services a day from London/Gatwick to the U.S.A. - up to 21 weekly non-stop services to its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport, twice-daily non-stop services to Houston and a seasonal daily non-stop service to Cleveland - plus non-stop services to New York Liberty from Manchester (twice-daily), Edinburgh (up to twice-daily), Glasgow (up to 11 times weekly), Birmingham (up to 10 times weekly), Bristol (daily) and Belfast (daily). 

Continental has announced plans to inaugurate non-stop service from Houston to London/Heathrow on March 30, 2008, subject to government approval and the airline obtaining necessary slots and facilities at Heathrow Airport.  In addition, Continental and Virgin Atlantic Airways codeshare on Virgin Atlantic-operated flights from London/Heathrow and London/Gatwick to several U.S. cities.

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