Continental Airlines announced today that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has approved the airline’s application to offer for sale its planned service between Houston and Lagos, Nigeria.  The service, scheduled to begin in November 2011 and subject to final government approval, will be the first daily scheduled service between the state of Texas and the continent of Africa.

Lagos is the 31st destination in Continental’s trans-Atlantic route network. 

“We are grateful to the Honorable Fidelia Akuabata Njeze, the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Dr. Harold O. Demuren, director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and their colleagues for their partnering with us to provide this critical link between these two energy capitals,” said Jeff Smisek, president and chief executive officer of United Continental Holdings. “Service between Houston and Lagos, complemented by our planned service between Washington and Lagos, will enable greater customer convenience and increased commerce.”