Continental Airlines today reported a September consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 81.5 percent, 5.0 points above the September 2008 consolidated load factor, and a mainline load factor of 82.2 percent, 4.8 points above the September 2008 mainline load factor.  The carrier reported a domestic mainline September load factor of 84.0 percent, 5.5 points above the September 2008 domestic mainline load factor, and an international mainline load factor of 80.4 percent, 4.1 points above September 2008.  All four September load factors were records for the month.

During the month, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on-time arrival rate of 88.4 percent and a mainline segment completion factor of

99.8 percent. Continental also recorded a record number of 100 percent completion factor days for the month of September.

 

In September 2009, Continental flew 6.9 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 8.5 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in a

consolidated traffic increase of 7.0 percent and a capacity increase of 0.5 percent as compared to September 2008. In September 2009, Continental flew 6.2 billion mainline

RPMs and 7.6 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic increase of 6.7 percent and a mainline capacity increase of 0.5 percent as compared to September 2008. Domestic mainline traffic was 3.2 billion RPMs in September 2009, up 9.8 percent from September 2008, and domestic mainline capacity was 3.8 billion ASMs, up 2.7 percent

from September 2008. September 2008 operations were impacted by the effects of Hurricane Ike, which caused a multi-day closure of the Houston hub and reduced

September capacity.

 

For September 2009, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is estimated to have decreased between 18.5 and 19.5 percent compared to

September 2008, while mainline RASM is estimated to have decreased between 20.0 and 21.0 percent. September 2008 results included a 3 point increase in both consolidated and

mainline RASM related to a reduction in the company’s frequent flyer liability. For August 2009, consolidated passenger RASM decreased 17.2 percent compared to August

2008, while mainline passenger RASM decreased 17.9 percent compared to August 2008.

 

Continental ended the third quarter 2009 with an unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments balance of approximately $2.55 billion.

 

Continental’s regional operations had a September load factor of 75.8 percent, 6.3 points above the September 2008 regional load factor. Regional RPMs were 725.0

million and regional ASMs were 956.9 million in September 2009, resulting in a traffic increase of 9.0 percent and a capacity decrease of 0.1 percent versus September 2008.

Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline.  Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,750 daily departures

throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 132 international destinations. More than 750 additional points are served via current alliance partners.

Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.