Continental Airlines Cuts Transatlantic Capacity

Continental Airlines is to reduce capacity on a number of its transatlantic routes this winter, reducing frequencies and introducing smaller aircraft when compared to its schedule last year. According to the latest GDS data seven route will see a reduction it available capacity, although interestingly its service from Newark Liberty International Airport to Geneva will be upgraded to a Boeing 777-200ER from February 3, 2012.

Frequency reduction are planned for flights from Newark to Barcelona, Glasgow and Madrid (from a daily schedule to six flights per week), as well as Copenhagen and Stockholm (down from daily to five flights per week). Meanwhile, Boeing 767-200ERs will replace larger 767-400ERs on the Houston – Paris CDG (from September 1) and Newark – Paris CDG routes (from October 1).

The airline is not the only US major to cut capacity between the US and Europe this winter as the carriers seek to rationalise their networks with international partners. Continental Airlines was the sixth largest carrier in this market in the last year carrying an estimated 3.44 million of the 46.27 million O&D passengers that flew between Europe and the US. With its network now being combined with United Airlines it will play a much stronger role in the transatlantic market.