Edmonton welcomes Continental’s non-stop service to Houston
Edmonton welcomes Continental’s non-stop service to
Houston
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Edmonton (August 17, 2009) – On behalf of our community, Edmonton
International Airport (EIA) today is pleased to announce that
Continental Airlines, the fifth largest airline in the world, is
offering daily non-stop flights from Edmonton to their largest hub
and home base city, Houston, Texas.
“Flights can be booked now for travel beginning November 1,”
says Reg Milley, President and CEO of EIA. “We couldn’t be more
delighted to see Continental bring non-stop Houston air service to
Edmonton business and leisure travellers. Adding Houston to our
growing list of major hub destinations is a huge step forward for
EIA and a solid indicator of Edmonton’s economic strength and
resiliency.”
Efficient air access between the burgeoning oil and gas
powerhouses of Edmonton and Houston is critical for developing
strong business and trade linkages as well as capitalizing on
Continental’s significant hub service for creating new tourism
opportunities in the Edmonton region. Travellers from Edmonton will
also have even more choices for one stop air travel to vacation
destinations.
“Houston is an excellent route addition, one that promises to
significantly enhance the ease of business that flows between our
regions,” says City of Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel.
“Continental’s choice to invest in Edmonton shows real confidence
in our economic future. It’s now up to us to step up and support
this service. We need to fill this flight every day to ensure it
not only continues to serve our region, but grows from here driving
economic momentum into Edmonton and beyond to our partners in the
north.”
“Houston is consistently one of the top 10 destinations for
Edmonton and Northern Alberta travellers. Texas is also the number
three US travel market to Alberta. This new service now offers an
efficient non-stop link to the many travellers visiting our
region,” says Ron Gilbertson, President and CEO, Edmonton Economic
Development Corporation (EEDC). “We will work with EIA and our many
partners to promote and expand the travel opportunities that this
important air connection provides.”
“Continental Airlines’ new non-stop air service between Edmonton
and Houston will be a huge advantage to the 3,000 companies in
Alberta’s International Region. Much of our business is contingent
upon direct connections to the US, and international destinations,”
says Pat Klak, Executive Director, Leduc-Nisku Economic Development
Authority. “This new link to the oil and gas industry ties strongly
to Leduc and the Nisku Business Park, one of the largest oil and
gas parks in North America.”
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Edmonton to Houston >> Depart: 0630 Arrive: 1150
Houston to Edmonton >> Depart: 1800 Arrive: 2145
“We are pleased to add Edmonton to our portfolio of Canadian
destinations,” said Jim Compton, Continental’s executive vice
president of marketing. “The flight allows connections to
Continental’s vast network across the Southern United States and
Latin America.”
The Houston-Edmonton route will be serviced by a Boeing 737-500,
114 seat aircraft (106 coach seats, 8 first class seats).
Continental plans to become a Star Alliance partner on October
27 of this year, allowing future travel to earn and redeem frequent
flyer mileage on affiliated airlines such as Air Canada’s
Aeroplan.
At EIA, we’ll move you … WINNER: For the second year in a row, EIA
has claimed Airports Council International-North America’s top
honour: Excellence in Marketing and Communications Award (ACI-NA
2008, 2009) LEADER: Canada’s fastest-growing major airport
(2006-2008)
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Media Contact:
Traci Bednard
Communications
t: 780 890 8055
c: 780 909 9554