Auckland to Houston flights unveiled by Continental

Direct flights from Auckland to Houston as often as five times a week are being planned from November 2011 on Continental Airlines' new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Continental announced the proposed route, subject to government approval, today, saying it was another major step in the development of its Houston hub.

Continental also said it was the first airline in the world to formally announce specific, initial route plans for its fleet of new-technology Boeing 787s.

Development of the 787 has been subject to several delays, with the latest news from Boeing being that four of the planes have been built and are undergoing flight testing.

Continental expects delivery of its 25 Dreamliners to start in August 2011.

It said it would be one of just three airlines flying nonstop between North America and this country. It planned to operate the Auckland to Houston route on a daily basis, with a five-times-weekly service during certain periods in the first year of operation.

Continental chief executive Jeff Smisek said the new route to Auckland, along with modernised and expanded customer check-in facilities at its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport, were examples of the emphasis the company placed on expanding Houston's role in domestic and international aviation.

Auckland Airport chief executive Simon Moutter said the start of daily services between Auckland and Houston opened up an exciting new United States market opportunity to this country.

"Houston is a central American hub that offers access to a wide range of North American destinations that we think will prove extremely attractive to travellers."

Continental said its proposed merger with United Airlines would enhance the Houston-Auckland route with additional traffic flows through Houston expected to result from the merger.

- NZPA