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UNITED STATES |
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
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Washington, D.C. 20549 |
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FORM 8-K |
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CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT |
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TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE |
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SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 18, 2006 |
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CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC. |
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
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DELAWARE |
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
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1-10323 |
74-2099724 |
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(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
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1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO, Houston, Texas |
77002 |
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(Zip Code) |
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(713) 324-2950 |
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) |
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______________________________________ |
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act |
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(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act |
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(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
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Item 8.01. Other Events.
On April 18, 2006, we issued a press release announcing our selection of Chautauqua Airlines, a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings Inc., to operate up to 69 regional jets that will be withdrawn from our capacity purchase agreement with ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. and its parent, ExpressJet Holdings, Inc., should ExpressJet choose to return those aircraft to us.
The press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
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99.1 |
Press Release |
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SIGNATURE |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Continental Airlines, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC. |
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April 18, 2006 |
By /s/ Chris Kenny Chris Kenny Vice President and Controller
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EXHIBIT INDEX |
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99.1 |
Press Release |
EXHIBIT 99.1
News Release
Contact:
Corporate CommunicationsHouston: 713.324.5080
Email: corpcomm@coair.com
News archive: continental.com/company/news/ Address: P.O. Box 4607, Houston, TX 77210-4607
HOUSTON, April 18, 2006 - Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced it has selected Chautauqua Airlines to operate up to 69 regional jets that will be withdrawn from its capacity purchase agreement with ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. and its parent, ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: XJT), should ExpressJet choose to return those aircraft to Continental.
ExpressJet is required to notify Continental by Sept. 28, 2006 whether it will return any or all of the aircraft to Continental, or continue to sublease the aircraft at increased lease rates from Continental and fly them outside of Continental's hubs under a brand other than Continental Express, as permitted by the capacity purchase agreement.
Chautauqua, a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: RJET), will operate any aircraft returned by ExpressJet as a second Continental Express carrier at each of Continental's domestic hubs - Newark Liberty, Houston and Cleveland. Continental Airlines will continue to schedule and market all its regional jet service as it does today.
"We are proud to announce our selection of Chautauqua Airlines," said Mark Erwin, Continental's senior vice president-corporate development. "Chautauqua is a very high quality operator, and we look forward to working with them."
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"We are very pleased to be joining the Continental team," said Bryan Bedford, chairman, president and CEO of Republic Airways Holdings, parent company of Chautauqua Airlines. "Chautauqua Airlines has a long tradition of quality service and we look forward to delivering our award winning service to Continental customers."
About Continental
Continental Airlines is the world's sixth-largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,100 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 151 domestic and 133 international destinations -- more than any other carrier in the world. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With over 42,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 61 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.
For the third consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2006 list of Most Admired Global Companies. Continental was also named the No. 1 airline on the publication's 2006 America's Most Admired airline industry list. In 2005, Continental again won major awards at the OAG Airline of the Year Awards including "Airline of the Year" and "Best Airline Based in North America" for the second consecutive year, and "Best Executive/Business Class" for the third consecutive year. For more company information, visit continental.com.
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About Republic and Chautauqua
Republic Airways Holdings, based in Indianapolis, Indiana is an airline holding company that operates Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America. The company offers scheduled passenger service on approximately 800 flights daily to 78 cities in 33 states, Canada and the Bahamas through airline services agreements with four major U.S. airlines. All of its scheduled flights are operated under its major airline partner brand. The airline currently employs approximately 3,100 aviation professionals and operates 154 Embraer regional jet aircraft.
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