Continental Micronesia unveils new fleet

Guam –- Continental Airlines unveiled yesterday its newest fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft that officials said will improve further its service in Micronesia, increase efficiency and fly more passengers from key Asian cities to the region.

Airline executives and Guam officials led a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the airport hangar here to formally present for public viewing two of the new nine jets scheduled to begin its operations tomorrow.

Continental Micronesia president Bill Meehan said the upgrading of its fleet shows the company’s “hundred-percent commitment” to promote the various destinations in the region in international tourism markets, particularly in Asia.

Part of the air carrier’s fleet rejuvenation plan at a cost of some $315 million, these jets will replace four B757 and five B727 it plans to retire within the next 15 months.

A B737 has a total capacity of 155 seats and operates with more range capability, flies faster and is equipped with a modern video entertainment system, according to the airline.

It is also “more efficient with lower fuel consumption, greater reliability and simplified maintenance,” it said in a statement.

The acquisition of this type of jets will allow the airlines to service smaller markets in Japan and other Asian countries where most tourists to the Micronesian islands come from.

“The aircraft are much more capable than the Boeing 727’s and will allow Continental Airlines to offer a better product to our customers,” Meehan said.

Wally Diaz, staff to the vice president for sales and marketing of Continental Micronesia, said the fleet will also lead to more flight frequencies to service the islands.

“We’re going to be able to fly more frequently because the aircraft are much more efficient than a 727,” he said, noting that each jet can fly up to 10 and half hours, burning less fuel than the smaller Boeing model.

With the gradual change in its fleet, Continental will adjust flight schedules to increase seats by 11 percent over the previous year in some Japanese cities and other Asian destinations.

Flights to Sendai and Hong Kong will be increased by one flight per week beginning on Nov. 1, Sapporo and Niigata by one additional weekly flight, and Fukuoka by two flights every week starting this December.

The aircraft will also begin servicing Taipei during the same month, according to the airline.

“As we have stated before, Continental remains committed to the market and will increase capacity when faced with a credible increase in passenger demand,” said Meehan.

Guam Sen. Carlotta Leon Guerrero, outgoing president of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures which group together lawmakers from the region, underscored the significance of the airline’s upgrading plan.

“Continental is showing their support for the region by putting their investments to new aircraft,” she said in an interview. “I definitely see this as a sign of Continental’s commitment to staying in this part of the world.”

The U.S. carrier, whose parent company is the Houston-based Continental Airlines, has been servicing Micronesian islands for the last 30 years, with flights from Hawaii and other cities on the mainland as well as Tokyo, Seoul, Manila, Hong Kong and other Asian capitals.