ANA, United and Continental make JV application
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HONG KONG, December 27, 2009 - United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA), All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) last Wednesday filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for antitrust immunity to enable the three carriers to create a more efficient and comprehensive trans-Pacific network, generating substantial service and pricing benefits for consumers.
The trans-Pacific joint venture – the first of its kind between the U.S. and Asia – also would enable United, ANA and Continental to compete more effectively with other global alliances, each of which has a significant presence in Tokyo.
Upon DOT approval of the companies’ immunity application, United, ANA and Continental will be able to jointly manage trans-Pacific activities including scheduling, pricing and sales, offering customers a greater selection of routings and a wider range of fare and service options.
“This joint venture, coupled with the recently announced open skies agreement between the U.S. and Japan, will significantly enhance our ability to serve customers in Japan and throughout Asia and offer new choice and convenience for customers,” said Glenn Tilton, United’s chairman and chief executive officer.
“By making this closer cooperation between our partner airlines, we will be able to strengthen our trans-Pacific network and improve our services,” said Shinichiro Ito, President and CEO of ANA. “We are looking forward for our application to be approved, which will create greater convenience for our valued customers,” he added.
“Our network of service to nine Japanese cities will be enhanced by giving our customers more options for using our flights in conjunction with United and ANA for trips both within the region as well as on trans-Pacific routes,” said Larry Kellner, Continental’s chairman and chief executive officer.
The Department of Transportation granted antitrust immunity to United and Continental in July 2009, enabling the two carriers to coordinate schedules and fares for services outside the United States.
About ANA
ANA is Japan’s largest domestic carrier and the tenth largest airline in the world by passenger load, according to IATA rankings. Carrying almost 50 million passengers every year to 52 destinations in Japan and 26 cities throughout Asia, Europe and the US on its fleet of 214 aircraft, it is a leading Japanese provider of air transportation services. ANA is the launch customer of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Mitsubishi Regional Jet, and has won awards in all categories for its product and services and was voted Airlines of the Year for 2007 by Air Transport World Magazines. ANA joined the Star Alliance in 1999 and celebrated its 10th year Star Alliance membership in October.
About Continental
Continental Airlines is the world’s fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,400 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 130 domestic and 132 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which provides access to more than 900 additional points in 169 countries via 25 other member airlines. With more than 41,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year. For more company information, go to continental.com.
About United
United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates approximately 3,300* flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 1,071 destinations in 171 countries worldwide. United’s 47,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company’s Web site at united.com or follow United on Twitter @UnitedAirlines.
*Based on United’s forward-looking flight schedule for October 2009 to October 2010.
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