Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL and CAL.A) today announced it has reached an agreement with the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission to reduce nitrogen oxide (Nox) emissions produced by airport ground service equipment at Bush Intercontinental Airport by 75 percent by the year 2005. The airline has been working with the Commission, the City of Houston, the airport staff and others to achieve clean air in the Houston-Galveston region since the beginning of the year.

The airline is taking several initiatives to curtail emissions from its ground service equipment. These initiatives include converting some equipment to electric and retrofitting others with pollution controls devices. While phasing out some units, the airline is currently testing new environmentally friendly equipment.

Additionally, Continental, which operates the youngest jet fleet in the industry, is continuing to purchase new airplanes that not only produce fewer emissions, but are also quieter and more fuel-efficient.

“We’re committed to doing our part to help clean up the environment, even though the airport is responsible for less than 1% of the emissions in the area,” said a Continental spokeswoman. “Houston is our home, and we have a vested interest in preserving it.”

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