‘Continental Airlines (Houston) is abandoning its long-standing base at Gatwick airport in order to concentrate its London operations at Heathrow. Continental is the US carrier that has taken most advantage of the opening of Heathrow to full competition from all US and European airlines since the end of March, when the “open skies” treaty between the US and European Union came into force liberalizing transatlantic aviation. It set a record for Heathrow slot prices in 2007 when it paid $209m for four pairs of take-off and landing slots to start twice-daily services from Houston and New York Newark.’
By: STN - 10th September 2008 at 14:35
Actually, it might not be all bad…
Other forums indicating that CO will be back to operate a seasonal/summer-only service between LGW and CLE. The CO press release specifically refers to an end to “year-round operations at Gatwick”.
Adam
By: tomfellows - 10th September 2008 at 14:00
I am also not surprised. I would imagine that given the choice, maybe for a little more money, Heathrow is a more appealing airport than Gatwick due to it’s closer proximity to the centre of London plus also the greater range of airlines and destinations there. I imagine easyJet will snap up the vacant LGW slots.
By: cloud_9 - 10th September 2008 at 11:43
To be honest I am not surprised by this news, as you have seen other carriers such as AA move from LGW to LHR. Not sure whether it is a cost related decision or just simply because LHR is bigger in size and also closer to the centre of London for business travellers coming over from the USA?
Lets just hope that we get CO 757’s operating out of LHR at some point!!!:D
EDIT: Just going to answer the above statement myself…
CO are due to launch a third daily service between Heathrow and New York (Newark) on Oct 26th, and they will be using a 757-200!
More info:
http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1131252.php?mpnlog=1&m_id=_rnms~s~T_
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September 10, 2008 at 11:39 am