Continental Airlines plans new Hawai'i flight

By Michele Kayal
Advertiser Staff Writer

Continental Airlines plans to add a second flight from Houston to Honolulu early next year, increasing the airline's Hawai'i service by roughly 20 percent.

The carrier said it will add a second daily nonstop flight from its Houston hub Feb. 15, in response to steady demand despite a dramatic drop in air travel since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

The company said it will also maintain 100 percent of its schedule to Hawai'i from the Mainland and the Pacific.

Although it is several months from initial service, the extra flight comes as other airlines have been cutting service to Hawai'i and elsewhere in response to a severe drop-off in travel since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Japan Airlines, which has the largest share of Japan flights to Hawai'i, has cut its service to the Islands by 30 percent. The main U.S. carrier, United Airlines, has trimmed its flights to Hawai'i by 10 percent, cutting its schedule from 20 flights to 18.

Continental spokeswoman Georgette Deemer said the airline's decision was based on anticipated demand next year.

"But there certainly are no guarantees, and there is still the need to be vigilant about keeping up load factors," she said.

Adding the second Houston flight will put another 1,645 weekly seats in the market and will be timed to provide convenient connections for travelers from Texas, the Southeast and the Northeast, the company said.

Michele Kayal can be reached at mkayal@honoluluadvertiser.com.