Continental Airlines reported an August consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 82.4 percent, 0.6 points above last year’s August consolidated load factor. The carrier reported a mainline load factor of 83.0 percent, 0.5 points above the August 2005 mainline load factor, and a domestic mainline load factor of 85.5 percent, 1.2 points above August 2005. All three were records for August. In addition, the airline had an international mainline load factor of 80.3 percent, 0.2 points below August 2005.

During the month, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 76.3 percent and a mainline completion factor of 99.8 percent.

In August 2006, Continental flew 8.4 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 10.2 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a traffic increase of 9.3 percent and a capacity increase of 8.5 percent as compared to August 2005. In August 2006, Continental flew 7.4 billion mainline RPMs and 9.0 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic increase of 8.9 percent and an 8.2 percent increase in mainline capacity as compared to August 2005. Domestic mainline traffic was 4.0 billion RPMs in August 2006, up 7.1 percent from August 2005, and domestic mainline capacity was 4.7 billion ASMs, up 5.5 percent from August 2005.

For August 2006, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is estimated to have increased between 6.5 and 7.5 percent compared to August 2005, while mainline passenger RASM is estimated to have increased between 5.5 and 6.5 percent compared to August 2005. Continental estimates that August 2006 year-over-year consolidated and mainline RASM were negatively impacted by approximately 1.5 points due to the elevated security concerns during the month. For July 2006, consolidated passenger RASM increased 9.6 percent compared to July 2005, while mainline passenger RASM increased 8.9 percent from July 2005.

Continental’s regional operations had a record August load factor of 78.0 percent, 1.6 points above last year’s August load factor. Regional RPMs were 959.4 million and regional ASMs were 1,230.0 million in August 2006, resulting in a traffic increase of 12.8 percent and a capacity increase of 10.5 percent versus August 2005.

Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,200 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 154 domestic and 138 international destinations. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 43,000 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.

In 2006, Continental Airlines won its sixth J.D. Power and Associates award since 1996. The carrier received the highest rank in customer satisfaction among network carriers in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Airline Satisfaction Index Survey(SM). 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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