Continental-United merger will likely make Newark airport a busier travel hub | – NJ.com
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Newark Liberty International Airport, which Continental Airlines helped to transform into a bustling international hub, is expected to grow busier — creating the eventual ripple effects of job and economic growth — when the company completes its merger with United Airlines.
Jeffrey Smisek, who will become chief executive of the new company, said combining the two carriers will make larger jets available for flights between Newark and European cities such as Copenhagan, strengthening the new airline’s business prospects.
Continental has a fleet of Boeing 757s at Newark that could be swapped for some of the roomier Boeing 767s United flies out of Washington’s Dulles International Airport, Smisek said today. The wide-bodied 767s, which can seat as many as 244 passengers, have a greater capacity and can fly longer distances than the narrow-bodied 757s.
“We’ve been using the equipment we have as best we can for the routes we have, but for some routes it’s too small,’’ Smisek said. “We’ve always said, we would like a bigger (aircraft).’’
The proposed merger, announced last week, will create the world’s largest airline if it wins the approval of shareholders and federal regulators. The new company will operate as United although it will retain Continental’s familiar blue-and-gold logo.
via Continental-United merger will likely make Newark airport a busier travel hub | – NJ.com.
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