Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL)
today announced that it will begin twice daily, nonstop service between
Charleston, W.Va., and Houston Intercontinental Airport, effective
Oct. 1, 2002.

The new Continental Express flights aboard the fast, quiet 50-passenger
ERJ-145 ExpressJet represent the only nonstop service between Houston and
Charleston`s Yeager Airport, which received funds through a new federal
program designed to improve air service in smaller communities.

“We look forward to introducing faster, more convenient service between
West Virginia`s capital city and Houston, our largest hub,” said Continental
Senior Vice President-Scheduling Glen Hauenstein.  “We greatly appreciate the
leadership of Senator Rockefeller and the support of all of those in the
Charleston area who helped make this new service possible.”

“I have worked for a long time to help smaller airports improve and
promote their air service, so I was pleased to announce in June that Yeager
Airport had won approval for a $500,000 grant from the Small Community Air
Service Development program,” said Senator Jay Rockefeller, who serves as
Chairman of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee and authored the program to
support regional airports.

  “Business leaders in the Kanawha Valley have told me how badly they need
jet service to major industry hubs like Houston, so Continental`s new nonstop
service is great news for future economic development in West Virginia,”
Rockefeller added.

“We are very excited about the non-stop jet service to Houston on
Continental Express.  This service has been our top priority for a number of
years because of the needs of our business community,” said Yeager Airport
Director Rick Atkinson.  “The Small Community Air Service development grant
program that Senator Rockefeller authored provided us with the tools necessary
to make this service a reality.”

Tickets for the new Charleston-Houston service will be available for
purchase starting Aug. 3.

Continental Express, operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., employs more
than 5,200 people and provides Continental Airlines with all of its regional
airline capacity at its hub airports in Houston, Cleveland and Newark.
Continental Express offers advance seat assignments and OnePass frequent flyer
miles, which can be redeemed anywhere in the world Continental and its
alliance carriers fly.  ExpressJet Airlines is owned by ExpressJet Holdings,
Inc. (NYSE: XJT).

Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering
more than 2,100 departures daily to 122 domestic and 90 international
destinations.  Operating hubs in New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam,
Continental serves more international cities than any other U.S. carrier,
including extensive service throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.  For
more information, visit continental.com.

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